Q: Airbus has been in Mexico for over 40 years. What have been the main benefits and challenges of investing and operating in the country during this time?
A: Airbus’s presence in Mexico is the result of a long-term vision. For more than four decades, we have watched the country evolve into one of the strongest aerospace ecosystems in Latin America, and Airbus has had the opportunity to grow alongside this evolution. The main benefit has been access to highly qualified talent, an increasingly sophisticated industry, and a strategic location that allows us to efficiently integrate our operations with the global supply chain. For Airbus, Mexico is not only a key market but also a strategic partner that brings world-class industrial and engineering capabilities to the table.
Although we share global challenges with the rest of the industry — such as strengthening the resilience of the supply chain and developing a broader base of specialized suppliers — at Airbus we view these challenges as key opportunities to continue driving the development of the Mexican aerospace sector.
Q: Which regions or cities in Mexico are most strategic for Airbus operations, and what factors influence these location choices?
A: Mexico is a strategic market for Airbus due to its competitiveness, high productivity, and proven capability to manufacture complex technology. When selecting its locations, the company evaluates various factors such as logistics infrastructure, connectivity, proximity to customers, the strength of the industrial cluster, the availability of highly specialized talent, and the stability needed to consolidate long-term investments.
Queretaro is undoubtedly one of the industrial pillars of Airbus Mexico and a fundamental part of the company’s global supply chain. We chose the state of Queretaro because it meets our operational requirements, as it is an aerospace cluster home to the industry’s largest companies, a highly skilled workforce, and strong cooperation at both the state and federal levels.
Meanwhile, Mexico City is establishing itself as the strategic hub for supporting the country’s security, connectivity, and mobility. This location allows us to focus our commercial efforts and technical support on mission-critical operations that serve the public. It also optimizes the operation of our training center and facilitates the delivery and operation of secure communication systems.
Q: What is the scope of Airbus’s operations in Mexico, including the pilot training center, helicopter manufacturing, and the Queretaro facility for aircraft components? How do these units complement each other?
A: For more than four decades, Airbus has driven the growth of Mexico’s aerospace ecosystem through long-term investments, technology transfer, and the development of local talent. None of our operations function in isolation; rather, they are part of an integrated strategy aimed at providing solutions that span commercial and military aviation, the country’s industrial development, and public safety.
In commercial aviation, Airbus leads the domestic market with more than 60% of the fleet in service and 95% of aircraft on order. This market position is directly supported by the Airbus Mexico Training Centre (AMTC), a center of excellence that, since its opening in 2016, has trained more than 9,000 pilots and technicians for the A320 Family. Through Airbus Helicopters, we have a fleet of more than 120 helicopters in service that serve, protect, save lives, and connect communities across the country. From our customer service center, we oversee sales, customization, support, training, and maintenance for a fleet of more than 400 helicopters distributed across 21 countries in Latin America.
Since its inauguration in 2013, the Airbus Queretaro plant has been engaged in the end-to-end manufacturing of cargo doors, emergency exits, and components, exporting more than 4,000 doors and 200,000 parts for airplanes and helicopters annually to France and Germany. In response to the success of the A320 Family and to support the global goal of producing up to 75 aircraft per month by 2027, Airbus recently expanded its facilities, adding advanced processes for the manufacture of cargo and passenger doors.
Finally, Mexico is home to the largest Airbus Defence and Space fleet in the region, with 21 military aircraft in operation. Mexico also serves as the Latin American headquarters for the Public Safety and Security (PSS) business unit, which provides infrastructure, solutions, and technology — including mission- and business-critical tools — that facilitate seamless, secure, and cyber-resilient communications and collaboration.
Q: How has Airbus’s presence in Mexico evolved over time, and what key milestones have shaped its local strategy?
A: Airbus’s history in Mexico has been one of steady growth. We began by strengthening our relationship with our customers, and over the years, we expanded our presence to include industrial activities, training, and specialized services.
A turning point was the opening of the Queretaro plant in 2013, which allowed Mexico to become part of Airbus’s global manufacturing network. Since then, the plant has gradually taken on higher-value-added processes and new responsibilities. Additionally, the Airbus Mexico Training Centre (AMTC), which opened in 2016, supports the operations and ramp-up of A320 Family aircraft for Latin American airlines.
And our most recent expansion of the Queretaro plant, inaugurated in June 2026, represents one of the most important milestones in this evolution. It significantly increases production capacity, incorporates Industry 4.0 technology, and will enable us to keep pace with the growth of the A320 Family over the coming years.
Q: The aerospace industry faces a global talent gap in specialized areas. How is this affecting Airbus Mexico, and what initiatives are in place to attract and retain top talent?
A: At Airbus, we are convinced that our people are our greatest asset. That is why we consistently invest in the professional development of our employees through ongoing training programs, technical education, international mobility, and opportunities to participate in global projects. Our goal is for talent to be able to build a long-term career within the company.
Mexico has demonstrated that it has engineers, technicians, and specialists who are highly competitive on an international level. The recent expansion of our plant in Queretaro is a testament to the confidence we have in that talent. Every new capability we incorporate requires professionals prepared to work to the highest standards of quality, safety, and innovation that set Airbus apart worldwide. Rather than simply competing to attract talent, we seek to contribute to the development of a stronger industry that is better prepared to meet the growing demand in the aerospace sector.
Q: Is Airbus collaborating with Mexican universities or technical institutions to train local aerospace talent?
A: We know that the industry’s growth depends on having a solid talent base, which is why we maintain close relationships with universities, technical institutions, and industry organizations to expose students to the realities of the aerospace industry. In states like Queretaro, where there is a highly developed aerospace ecosystem, these partnerships are especially valuable because they help strengthen the training of engineers and technicians, ensuring their knowledge aligns with the needs of the global industry.
In addition to sharing knowledge and best practices, we aim to ensure that future professionals become familiar from an early stage with the international standards by which Airbus operates. This facilitates their integration into highly specialized projects and helps strengthen the talent needed across the entire aerospace value chain in Mexico. For Airbus, developing local talent not only benefits the company; it also strengthens the competitiveness of the country and the sector as a whole.
Q: How does Airbus foster innovation and technology transfer between its Mexican operations and its global R&D ecosystem?
A: Innovation is part of Airbus’s DNA and is built into a global network in which all our operations contribute to and learn from one another on an ongoing basis. Airbus’s facilities in Mexico operate under the same processes, technological standards, and digital tools as any other industrial site within the group. This enables us to share best practices, implement new manufacturing technologies, and incorporate increasingly efficient and sustainable processes.
Knowledge transfer takes place every day through multicultural teams that collaborate across different regions and participate in international programs. This integration ensures that the expertise developed in Mexico also adds value to Airbus’s global projects.
Q: With ongoing changes in global tariffs and trade policies, how can Mexico remain a strategic location for Airbus’s supply chain?
A: We closely monitor developments in the international business environment, but our strategy is based on building a resilient, diversified supply chain capable of responding to a market with growing demand. Mexico remains a highly competitive country thanks to its combination of specialized talent, a mature aerospace industry, a strategic location, and strong integration with supply chains in North America and the rest of the world.
The recent expansion of our plant in Queretaro reflects precisely that long-term vision. It is an investment that reflects our confidence in the country’s industrial capabilities and in the role it will continue to play within the global Airbus network. Our focus is always on strengthening collaboration with our suppliers and industrial partners to ensure the continuity and efficiency of our operations.
Q: Airbus aims to deliver 820 aircraft in 2025. How confident are you in achieving this target, and what factors will be key to success?
A: We are aware that the industry continues to face supply chain challenges, particularly with regard to certain critical components. However, we have also seen significant progress thanks to our collaborative efforts with our suppliers and industry partners. The most important factor will be to continue strengthening that supply chain to meet demand that remains very strong worldwide.
In this context, facilities such as our Queretaro plant are playing an increasingly important role. The recent expansion will allow us to increase manufacturing capacity and contribute more efficiently to Airbus’s global programs, supporting sustained production growth. Most importantly, we remain committed to quality and safety. Every aircraft we deliver represents the trust our customers place in Airbus, and that will continue to be our primary focus.
Q: Around 15,000 indirect jobs are generated through Airbus’s Mexican supply chain. What qualities or standards does Airbus prioritize when selecting or developing local suppliers?
A: For Airbus, the creation of more than 15,000 indirect jobs in Mexico reflects our commitment to the country’s industrial development. When selecting and developing local partners, we prioritize global standards of excellence that ensure safety, ethics, and innovation. Quality and reliability are non-negotiable in our industry. That is why we actively encourage more local suppliers to take advantage of the opportunity to become certified under the most demanding standards, such as AS 9100 or AS 9120. Similarly, beyond technical capability, Airbus prioritizes qualities that ensure a relationship of mutual trust, based on criteria such as innovation, transparency, and traceability.
Finally, at Airbus, we evaluate the rigor of a potential supplier starting from the bidding phase, prioritizing companies that demonstrate ethical commitment, discipline, and punctuality.
Q: How does Airbus support local suppliers in meeting international aerospace standards and sustainability requirements?
A: At Airbus, we support local suppliers by establishing global standards that, rather than acting as barriers, serve as a strategic driver for developing their technical capabilities. By clearly defining quality requirements and international regulations, we provide them with a clear path to raising their operational standards, promoting their industrial maturity, and enabling them to adopt specialized, high-precision processes that successfully position them in the global market.
We also ensure that our partners are aligned with our sustainability goals and our commitment to community impact from the very first point of contact. Through requirements such as our Supplier Code of Conduct, the signing of confidentiality agreements, and our audit processes, we foster practices based on transparency, ethics, and traceability. In this way, we help build a more efficient local supply chain that is fully prepared to respond responsibly to the demands of our industry.
Q: In which specific areas do you see potential for expanding local manufacturing or assembly in Mexico?
A: Mexico is a great ally, and we are a reliable partner; while we are constantly evaluating opportunities to strengthen our presence in the country, any specific future growth will depend on business volume and on continued preference for our products and services in Mexico. We see significant potential in Mexico driven by the expansion of the aviation and aerospace sectors. Mexico is experiencing a period of industry expansion, fueled by export growth and the restructuring of global supply chains. This opens up opportunities for companies like Airbus to continue expanding their presence, create specialized jobs, and accelerate technology transfer in key regions such as the state of Queretaro.
The country has an increasingly robust ecosystem: established clusters, ambitious young talent, and an expanding industrial infrastructure. This facilitates the adoption of advanced technologies and the integration of suppliers capable of competing internationally.
Q: Airbus has supported Mexico during crises such as COVID-19 and Hurricane Otis, as well as through initiatives like Discovery Space. What has been the economic and social impact of these programs?
A: At Airbus, we understand that our social responsibility extends beyond generating profits for our shareholders. Our goal is to create shared value by fostering socioeconomic development, protecting communities, and prioritizing community engagement projects related to education and disaster relief.
In 2023, following Hurricane Otis’s passage through the state of Guerrero, which disrupted the state’s electricity, public services, and communications, Airbus Public Safety and Security Mexico, in coordination with the Guerrero State Secretariat of Public Safety and the Guerrero State Control and Command Center, managed the deployment and activation — as a gesture of solidarity — of a Tetrapol mobile repeater, as well as TPH900 handheld radios, which enabled the restoration of mission-critical, guaranteed, and secure radio communications between various federal and state institutions.
Furthermore, the Airbus Foundation supported the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by collaborating with customers, industry partners, and aid agencies to transport humanitarian aid and supplies to Mexico. Mexico has been home to Airbus for more than 40 years, which is why, in situations like these, we make our products and services available to the country and its people to support Mexico’s major institutions, which provide daily assistance to the nation’s population.
Q: Sustainability is a growing priority in aerospace. How is Airbus contributing to the development and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in Mexico and Latin America?
A: Airbus supports the roadmap for the decarbonization of the aerospace industry, and although we do not directly develop SAF projects, we actively participate in and support initiatives that promote the production and adoption of SAF throughout the region. Collaboration is key to driving meaningful change and accelerating the development and scalability of SAF.
Airbus, Volaris, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are collaborating on feasibility studies regarding SAF in Mexico. The studies are being conducted under the ICAO’s ACT-SAF Program, which provides support to States to develop their potential in the development and application of SAF. In addition, in Mexico, Airbus has partnered with industry leaders to foster innovation in academia and has launched two competitions to accelerate the production and scalability of SAFs.
Q: Beyond SAF, what other environmental or carbon reduction initiatives is Airbus pursuing in its Mexican operations?
A: Airbus continues to make steady progress toward our global commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, as part of the High5+ project. In line with this, in Mexico we have implemented specific measures such as: waste separation and proper waste management at the plant; installation of water treatment plants at our Queretaro facility; maintaining a 0% increase in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions through 2030; implementation of a reverse osmosis system connected to the paint booths to reuse water, preventing the waste of 81 m³ of water per month; and installation of solar panels at Airbus Queretaro to generate 500 kVA/hr. These measures will help meet the growing demand from new projects.
Q: How does Airbus integrate ESG and sustainability goals into its business model in Mexico?
A: At Airbus, we are mindful of our obligations to society, the environment, and future generations, and we seek ways to have a positive impact throughout our operations. In late 2025, we launched an infrastructure investment initiative that reaffirms our long-term commitment to Mexico and actively contributes to efforts focused on improving the impact of our operations in the country, supporting the renovation of Mexico City International Airport and, in turn, forming part of our contribution to the national government’s Plan México.
As part of this initiative, we recently modernized our Airbus Helicopters facilities in Mexico, integrating new technology to ensure more efficient operations. We installed 302 solar panels that prevent the emission of 7.66 metric tons of CO2 each month. We also began operations at our water treatment plant, which incorporates a rainwater collection system with a capacity of 40,000L, conserving approximately 97,600L of water per month.
This transformation goes beyond infrastructure; it has a clear goal: to modernize our local capabilities to raise standards for the benefit of our teams. Furthermore, these are not isolated efforts, as they align with Airbus’s global commitments to the SBTi to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, under the project known as High5+.
Similarly, at Airbus, we have actively collaborated with initiatives and NGOs such as TECHO and Blue MX. This has allowed us to join forces in installing rainwater harvesting systems in resilient homes, as well as in restoring mangroves and protecting ecosystems.
Q: ACI-LAC forecasts a 4.5% increase in air traffic by 2025 across Latin America. How is Airbus preparing to meet rising demand amid supply chain constraints and tariff pressures?
A: According to Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) 2025–2044, commercial air traffic in Mexico will double over the next two decades. Passenger traffic is projected to increase by 108%, rising from 103.5 million in 2024 to 215.6 million by 2044. This growth will be driven by economic expansion, a growing middle class, and increased domestic and international connectivity. Travel frequency is expected to rise, increasing per capita trips from 0.6 to 1.2. Demand will remain strong across all sectors, with domestic and regional travel segments recording the sharpest increases. Domestic traffic is projected to experience the highest growth at 148%, closely followed by regional traffic at 146% and international traffic at 60%.
To support this growth in demand, the commercial aircraft fleet needed to serve Mexico (including both local and foreign operators) is expected to grow by 64%, with single-aisle aircraft leading the way in terms of volume.
Aviation is currently exempt from tariffs, and we project continued growth for the aviation sector in Mexico.
Q: Given the strategic importance of Latin America, what new projects or investments is Airbus planning in Mexico in the near future?
A: We remain focused on accelerating growth across all our programs. With our strong portfolio of products and services, we are fully committed to serving our commercial and military customers. We will continue to build on the fundamental pillars that underpin everything we do as a company: safety, quality, integrity, regulatory compliance, and protection. When it comes to the geopolitical environment, we can also count on our global presence, our diversified order book, and our operational resilience.
Q: How does Airbus assess the competitive landscape in Mexico and Latin America, and what differentiates its strategy from other aerospace players?
A: Latin America is a region of growing strategic importance, with opportunities linked to rising demand and sustainability. Air travel is expanding rapidly due to population growth, the rise of the middle class, and low-cost airlines in key markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia.
According to the 2025 Global Market Forecast, the region will need more than 2,600 new aircraft by 2044. At Airbus, our strategy sets us apart by viewing the diversity of aerospace companies as a tremendous opportunity that encourages continued innovation in a developing industry. The participation of all stakeholders is vital to strengthening growth and providing comprehensive coverage of the sector’s and the population’s needs.
Airbus stands out for supporting the development of the regional aviation ecosystem, including fleet renewal, and we offer training programs for pilots and technicians. We have a broad product portfolio capable of adapting to the region’s needs. We see immense potential for the A220 to drive regional growth and open new routes; the A321neo is ideal for high-traffic density, and the A350 is suited for efficient long-haul operations to the European Union and North America.
Q: What are the biggest risks or uncertainties for Airbus in Mexico over the next five to 10 years, and how is the company preparing to address them?
A: Our operating environment can be complex, dynamic, and volatile. For this reason, we closely monitor developments in current events. It is undeniable that there are a variety of external factors that can impact the aviation sector, ranging from aviation safety regulations to infrastructure development and investment, and even the dynamics of cooperation between countries. However, it is difficult to determine what the risks or repercussions will be.
As participants in the country’s aviation industry, it is important that all companies and institutions playing a role in aviation be aware of the various challenges and threats facing our sector, so that we can serve as agents of change in our dealings with governments and policy regulators.
Airbus has been present in Mexico for more than 40 years, and we have a long-term vision to continue our efforts to support and develop the local industry for many years to come, navigating any cycle of change that may arise. The country has great potential and opportunities for development in the aviation sector.
Airbus is a global pioneer in aerospace and defense, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and delivery of commercial aircraft, helicopters, and space systems. As a dominant leader in international aviation, the company shapes global connectivity, providing cutting-edge air transport solutions while driving innovation in defense technology and sustainable aerospace engineering.