The rise and rise of aerospace in Wales
Wales is a centre of excellence for the aerospace sector, particularly commercial aviation, and is home to more than 170 aerospace companies. Activities span manufacture, supply, and MRO (maintenance, repairs and overhaul) services for commercial and military aircraft across the globe. As such, as a small nation of around 3.2 million people spread across 20,782km, which is approximately half the size of the Netherlands, the scale of Wales’s aerospace sector is remarkable.
In this article, we look at how and why aerospace has become such a flourishing industry in Wales, employing over 23,000 people across the country.
Why Wales?
The beginning of aviation in Wales goes back over 100 years to the early 1900s and according to Aerospace Wales Forum figures, this small nation, which makes up just 5% of the UK population, accounts for 10% of the UK aerospace industry but an impressive 20% of the UK MRO market.
The aerospace industry in Wales is underpinned by government investment into research and development, skills and strategic Enterprise Zones across the country, which are supported by a strong infrastructure including access to a skilled workforce, good transport links, supply chains and other benefits to facilitate business success. Three of these Enterprise Zones have airfields that date back to the Second World War, including Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan, Deeside, and Anglesey.
The Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan Enterprise Zone has its aerospace origins back in 1938 and remains home to both civilian and military projects including MRO, manufacturing and non-destructive testing. The current Airbus site in Broughton in North Wales, which today forms part of the Deeside Enterprise Zone, was founded in 1939. After World War II it was taken over by De Havilland to make various aircraft. Alongside aerospace behemoth Airbus, the site today is used by several aviation tenants, including Aerocare Aviation, Raytheon, and the Defence Electronics and Components Agency (DECA). A site in Valley, Anglesey, was built in 1940 and houses RAF operations with BAE Systems and Babcock on site, with extensive training operations based there.
Attracting key players including Airbus, BAE Systems, GE Aviation and British Airways, among others, to Wales has propelled the sector’s evolution and expansion and placed the country firmly on the global aerospace map. This is demonstrated most clearly with the example of Airbus. The firm has a wing manufacturing operation at its Broughton site and employs around 6,500 people, supporting thousands more within the local supply chain. Aerospace Wales Forum states that Airbus spends more than £120 million annually through its Welsh supply chain. This growing sector has led to a high volume of aerospace firms of all sizes beginning operations in Wales over recent decades.
To further propel the sector, the local trade association, Aerospace Wales Forum, alongside the Welsh Government, also works to promote the skills and opportunities that Wales has to offer onto the international stage through attendance at key trade events. STG Aerospace has been privileged to join these on numerous occasions, including MRO Europe in 2024.
Specialisms
Welsh aerospace excels in the aircraft interiors and MRO space – both commercial and military - with Aerospace Wales Forum particularly nurturing MRO businesses and services through its MRO Hub.
The Forum’s CEO John Whalley says that the MRO industry in Wales is worth around £1.5 billion in turnover. This is not surprising considering that British Airways alone has three MRO facilities in South Wales. Other MRO companies in Wales include AerFin, AerMach, Allied Aerosystems, and GJD Aerotech, among others, with a whole supply chain of companies providing their products, parts and services to support this market.
The future is bright
The strengths of the aerospace sector in Wales have fostered a robust ecosystem of suppliers and innovators. In fact, it has been estimated that, combined, Wales and the South West design and assemble approximately half of the world’s large civil aircraft wings. With such firm foundations, the aerospace sector in Wales is set to continue flourishing. This will be further supported by central government funding through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, with £49 million worth of aerospace projects confirmed for Wales in 2024.
With such a rich aerospace heritage and thriving modern industry, STG Aerospace is proud to have its roots now firmly established in Wales. Founded in 1995, STG relocated to its headquarters in Cwmbran, less than 30km from Cardiff, in 2017 to take advantage of the growing aerospace hub in the country. The network has supported us in our journey to becoming an industry leader for our pioneering aerospace emergency exit floor path marking and cabin lighting systems. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, Wales is well-positioned to maintain and expand its role in shaping the future of global aerospace and we look forward to being a part of this journey.
STG and ALTO Aviation are part of Heads Up Technologies— pioneers in aviation innovation, now shaping the next generation of in-flight excellence. With emergency exit & cabin lighting systems, advanced cabin management and premium audio, together we’re illuminating the future of air travel—one detail at a time.