South West named as world leader in smart and sustainable aviation

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has recognised the South West as a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for the development, demonstration, and adoption of new and emerging aviation technologies, leading to the launch of a Smart and Sustainable Aviation HPO in our region, in conjunction with the Heart of the South West LEP and West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

As a world leader in Smart and Sustainable Aviation, the South West presents an exceptional opportunity for investors to plug into a leading aviation ecosystem, built upon the region’s rich aerospace heritage. The publication of this HPO will highlight the South West as a global destination for aviation business and research, and will be promoted to DIT teams in British Embassies around the world.

Talking on this, Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, comments, “The South West Aerospace cluster is of international importance, and it is fantastic to see this recognised and backed by the Government. It is vital that companies grasp the opportunity the region presents for the future of aviation, as we support them in developing smarter, more sustainable air transport. This is also a brilliant opportunity to benefit the wider South West and UK industry and economy, boosting job creation and accelerating the UK’s advantage in the sector.”

The South West is home to a globally prominent aerospace cluster, which includes leading and pioneering companies such as Leonardo Helicopters, Airbus, GKN, Vertical Aerospace,  Rolls Royce, Renishaw, the Defence, Science & Technology Laboratory, and Spaceport Cornwall along with world class universities, the West of England Aerospace Forum, and R&D Centres of Excellence including the National Composites Centre.

The HPO outlines that the South West ecosystem will support companies in creating the markets of the future, bringing to life sophisticated aviation and air mobility products, services and solutions, and enhancing the sustainability of future air transport system technologies. Potential investors are invited to play an instrumental role in the development, demonstration, and adoption of new and emerging aviation and advanced air mobility markets, taking full advantage of electrification, hydrogen, autonomy and disruptive technologies

Richard Bonner, Chair of the West of England LEP, tells us, “Innovation from our region plays a key role in the global shift to a zero-carbon economy, and we have ambitious goals to be net zero by 2030. We are leading the way towards a greener economy with world-class centre of excellences such as the GKN Global Technology Centre and Airbus launch of a Zero Emission Development Centre for hydrogen technologies at Filton.

“A unique opportunity exists for investors to join this future-oriented community – creating the markets of the future, bringing to life the most sophisticated aviation and air mobility products, services and solutions, and enhancing the sustainability of the future air transport system technologies of the future.”

The South West Aerospace cluster partners showcased the region’s aviation opportunities at Farnborough International Airshow last week, where they were pleased to meet with companies to discuss the South West’s Future Aviation Test Environment and demonstration capabilities.

You can find the HPO summary available here.