The Basque Country Aeronautics and Space Cluster once again increases employment and turnover

The Aerospace Sector, a strategic pillar for Europe’s technological, industrial and sovereign future

Carlos ALZOLA elected President of the HEGAN Cluster

The Basque Country Aeronautics and Space Cluster Association – HEGAN has held its General Assembly. The event took place at the main building of the Vitoria-Gasteiz Campus of the BAsqeu Country Technology Park and was led by Hipólito SUÁREZ, President of HEGAN and Secretary General of AERNNOVA, together with Martín FDEZ. LOIZAGA, Deputy Director of the Cluster Association. During the session, they reviewed the actions undertaken over the past year and outlined those planned for the current year, approving management, plans and budgets. In addition, the 2025 performance figures were presented.

The results achieved in the previous financial year by the 82 members currently forming the Cluster once again demonstrate that, despite the challenges of an increasingly complex global environment, the Cluster maintains a level of resilience characteristic of a robust and mature sector. The combined workforce of member organisations across all their production sites worldwide reached 15,133 people, while their aggregated turnover exceeded €3.4 billion.

At the close of the Assembly, the composition of HEGAN’s Board of Directors was approved as part of its regular rotation process. In this context, Hipólito SUÁREZ, Secretary General of Aernnova, handed over the presidency to Carlos ALZOLA, Chief Executive Officer of ITP AERO, who will lead HEGAN for the next two years.

Basque Aeronautics and Space Cluster

In 2025, the sector associated with HEGAN recorded overall growth compared to 2024, with employment increasing by 4.4% and turnover by 14.9%. These figures confirm the growth forecasts announced in recent months, despite the market distortions previously mentioned. The Basque aerospace industry continues to demonstrate its strength and adaptability, validating the strategies of HEGAN members in anticipating clients’ production and supply needs.

However, growth is not only about producing more, but about doing so better: with greater efficiency, sustainability and robustness. In this regard, innovation, digitalisation and technological development act as key drivers of competitiveness. Over the past year, member companies’ R&D investment accounted for 6.3% of sales, maintaining the sector as one of the most R&D-intensive, with more than 2,400 professionals engaged in this field.

Cluster figures for 2025

The Basque Country Aeronautics and Space Cluster Association – HEGAN comprises 82 members, positioned across virtually the entire aerospace value chain. These include 3 Tier 1 companies, 55 industrial firms, 10 technology centres, 5 universities and 9 partner organisations.

Currently, HEGAN members operate a total of 168 facilities worldwide: 107 in the Basque Country, 33 elsewhere in Spain, and 28 international locations (Germany, Brazil, France, China, the United States, India, Malta, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Romania).

In 2025, member organisations generated an aggregated turnover of €3.413 billion across all their plants worldwide. By subsector, engines accounted for approximately 59% of this turnover; aerostructures 30%; systems and equipment 6%; and space 5%.

In terms of employment, the total workforce reached 15,133 people across all locations worldwide, with women representing 22.5% of the total.

Exports amounted to €2.896 billion, representing 85% of total sales. The main destination markets during this period were the United Kingdom (30%), the United States (22%), Germany (21%) and France (8%).

Another noteworthy figure is R&D investment, which exceeded €213 million, of which 87% was self-financed.

Breaking down the data for the three historical territories of the Basque Country, employment surpassed 6,000 people (specifically 6,259), representing an increase of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, turnover generated in Basque plants and facilities grew to nearly €1.69 billion, marking a 13.5% increase. These figures highlight the growing importance of the sector within the overall industrial and productive landscape of the Basque Country.