Minister Ghani has announced £12 million in funding for an innovative new aerospace research and development initiative at Airbus Filton

Support local employment.

Government-backed funding of £12 million for an innovative aerospace R&D initiative at Airbus Filton will upskill local employees, furthering one of the Prime Minister’s five economic growth priorities.

Government and industry funding will develop new aircraft wing technologies emitting less carbon dioxide, reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Following a visit to Airbus Filton, the Minister of Industry announced a package to establish a new Wing Technology Development Centre to advance technology on aircraft of the next generation.

Today (5 July), Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani announced that a new cutting-edge aerospace R&D project supporting highly skilled employment at Airbus Filton in the South West would receive £12 million in combined government and industry funding.

The IOnitiative Will Develop New Aircraft

The initiative will develop new aircraft wing technology, particularly for longer aircraft wings, to reduce CO2 emissions from flights. 

It will also upskill local employees and apprentices in various roles, such as technicians and engineers. Longer wings make it simpler for an aircraft to generate lift with less fuel, reducing CO2 emissions. The initiative will investigate the technology for a folding mechanism for longer wings so that they can be retracted and aircraft do not require more airport space.

The funding will be provided through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme and was announced yesterday following a visit by Minister Ghani to Airbus Filton.

State-of-the-art Wing Technology Centre.

Nusrat Ghani, Minister of Industry and Economic Security, stated: “This new initiative at Airbus Filton will ensure that the South West remains at the forefront of this innovation, as its world-class aerospace sector contributes to economic growth and paves the way for greener air travel.” “We are supporting the growth of our aerospace industry, and projects like these are advancing our objective of carbon-neutral air travel by 2050 and securing high-wage, high-skill jobs across the country.”

Airbus Filton, which has established itself as the company’s leading UK site for civil aircraft R&D and develops some of the most exciting future technologies in aircraft wing design, fuel systems, and landing gear, employs approximately 2,700 highly qualified employees.

The funding announced today is in addition to the £218 million in support for cutting-edge UK aerospace research initiatives announced last month at the Paris Air Show.

Where Airbus purchase of 500 Airbus.

This was the largest purchase by a single airline in the history of commercial aviation and will be worth billions to the economy, as Airbus manufactures almost all of its aircraft wings in the country.

The announced ATI funding is also part of a joint commitment with industry to invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies, which is expected to help secure at least £20 billion of additional private investment in the UK aerospace sector and support over 100,000 employment.

Minister Ghani also delivered a keynote address yesterday at an event hosted by key suppliers to the UK aerospace industry and manufacturers of aircraft components, including GKN, Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems, and many lesser companies.

In her speech, the Minister outlined the government’s commitment to supporting more innovation and investment in UK aerospace to an audience of industry companies, including various aerospace SMEs considering investing in the UK.

The event represented the first time the UK’s leading aerospace manufacturers have come together to deliver a joint message regarding their plans and ambitions to attract more investment into the UK.