- The Galician Aerospace Consortium, in collaboration with the Regional Government of Galicia, held the seventh edition of the International Aerospace Congress (CIAG) today in Vigo.
- The event brought together more than 160 representatives from leading companies in the Galician aerospace industry and their strategic partners, who discussed the latest trends and future of this industry and established contacts to secure new projects and collaborations.
Today, the 7th edition of the International Aerospace Congress (CIAG) was held at the Hotel Pazo los Escudos in Vigo.
CIAG is the leading international conference in the aerospace industry in Galicia, organized each year by the Galician Aerospace Consortium (CAG) and supported by the Regional Government of Galicia. This year’s edition brought together more than 160 professionals from the aerospace industry, including OEMs, TIER 1, 2, and 3 companies, international organizations, government entities, institutions, and technology centers.
The Congress began yesterday with a networking cocktail party at the Attica 21 Hotel and continued today with a series of conferences discussing the challenges associated with digital transformation, energy transition, and new opportunities in propulsion, manufacturing solutions, civil aviation, drones, and security and defense. During the congress, various studies by the Aerospace Industry Observatory, developed by the Regional Government of Galicia through the Department of Economy and Industry, were also presented.
The day began with an exhibition by the Air and Space Force Honor Guard, which opened the session with a ceremony full of solemnity and symbolism. The presence of the Honor Guard highlighted the importance of protocol and military tradition at an international event such as CIAG, further reinforcing the strategic role of the aerospace industry in security and defense.
Opening
The CAG emphasized that “the CIAG has established itself as an international forum that puts Galicia on the aerospace map, attracting top-level leaders and companies. It is an excellent opportunity to showcase the potential of our industry, generate synergies, and open up new business opportunities between Galician and international companies.”
With regard to the Galician aerospace industry, they also highlight that the industry is currently undergoing an unprecedented period of transformation, driven by growth in security and defense activities, the development of new space technologies, and the unstoppable advance of unmanned systems. This dynamism is also reflected in commercial aviation, which is undergoing a historic period of expansion, highlighting the strength and growth potential of the industry as a whole.
Enrique Mallón, President of the CAG, pointed out that just fifteen years ago there were only two companies; today, Galicia has an industrial ecosystem made up of more than fifty companies that actively collaborate with the aerospace industry. We can proudly say that Galicia has established itself as a magnet for world-leading companies. We certified many of them at the time, and now we can say that the aerospace industry is fully established throughout Galicia, fulfilling a goal we have been pursuing for years.
In terms of employment, by 2024 we had exceeded 1,700 direct jobs, and forecasts indicate that by the end of 2025 we will reach 2,000 direct jobs, along with a turnover of more than €200 million.
However, we also face significant challenges. We want to help meet the global demand from major manufacturers, who have more than 17,000 pending deliveries, in a context of strong growth in air traffic. The Spanish industry aspires to play a more active role in this process, and in Galicia we want to help get these aircraft to market as soon as possible.
“We are experiencing a period of intense activity, in which Galician companies are reflecting on where to focus their efforts and capabilities, both in manned and unmanned projects,” Mallón concluded.
At the opening, María Jesús Lorenzana, Regional Minister of Economy and Industry of the Xunta de Galicia, emphasized that “Galicia has established itself as a benchmark in the aerospace industry, an industry that is currently in the global spotlight due to its enormous strategic importance. Aerospace, security, and defense are key areas that will place Galicia at the forefront of industrial innovation, and therefore, strategic alliances will be essential to gaining a competitive advantage.
The Regional Government of Galicia has launched the Strategic Line for Security and Aerospace, which provides continuity to initiatives developed in the space sector. We are working to offer optimal conditions that enable companies to develop their products, either individually or through collaborations and technological alliances. Only a few territories will be at the center of these developments, and we can proudly say that Galicia occupies a key position in this process. We have a solid ecosystem of SMEs, startups, technology centers, and research entities, all with extraordinary potential for growth and specialization.
We firmly believe that there is enormous potential for growth in the Galician aerospace industry. The government’s message is clear: “Our commitment is firm and unwavering, and we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with the industrial sector so that Galicia remains a benchmark in the aerospace, security, and defense industries at this truly historic moment,” concluded Lorenzana.
Aerospace Industry Observatory of Galicia
During the conference, the latest reports published by the Galician Aerospace Industry Observatory were presented. This initiative was promoted by the Regional Government of Galicia to consolidate Galicia as a national and international reference center for conducting and disseminating scientific, economic, statistical, and perspective studies on the aerospace industry.
Farrah Lisa, Deputy Director General of Industrial Promotion and Business Land at the Regional Government of Galicia, presented the work carried out by the Galician Aerospace Industry Observatory, highlighting that “It is time to involve not only the aerospace industry but also the entire value chain, especially systems, in order to exploit the full potential of this industry. The aerospace industry has a great opportunity to open Galicia to all national and international companies that want to set up here. We continue to work on incorporating innovation into the UAV ecosystem, with the aim of opening up private markets to these technologies and continuing to generate synergies throughout the value chain.”
Satellites and new players
The second block of the conference addressed space ecosystems in Europe and the United States, with a special focus on the role of satellites and the incorporation of new players in the value chain. Leading international companies such as Telespazio, Lockheed Martin, and Alén Space took part, sharing their vision of the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the space industry.
Carlos Fernández, CEO of Telespazio, noted that: Telespazio, with more than 60 years of experience and a presence in 15 countries, is a global leader in integrated space services. “We are committed to user-centered innovation, combining geoinformation, satellite communications, and space operations to respond to new challenges in the industry.”
“From Spain, we are leading pioneering projects such as the quantum satellite in LEO orbit (QKD) and ESA’s Moonlight program, which promotes communications and positioning on the Moon. Our goal is clear: to bring space closer to society and consolidate European leadership in the new space economy,” says Fernández.
Marco Tantardini, Head of Space Strategy and Business Development for Europe at Lockheed Martin, explained that Europe and the United States are called upon to strengthen their cooperation in the space sector. “At Lockheed Martin, we believe that the future lies in building more interoperable and resilient satellite ecosystems capable of responding to the security, communications, and sustainability challenges demanded by society. Galicia and Spain are playing an increasingly important role in this scenario, with an industrial fabric that contributes talent and innovative solutions to the global value chain,” concluded Tantardini.
Antonio Vázquez, Head of Business Development at Alén Space, said, “The space industry is experiencing a period of great dynamism and openness to new players. At Alén Space, we are convinced that nanosatellites and flexible platforms are the key to democratizing access to space and offering solutions tailored to strategic industries such as telecommunications, defense, and sustainability.
We are currently participating in leading international missions, such as Sateliot’s 5G constellation, the European Space Agency’s LEO-PNT mission, and the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) CUBEISL project, as well as initiatives in Latin America and Asia. Galicia has become a privileged environment for aerospace technological development, with an ecosystem that combines talent, innovation, and collaboration. At Alén Space, we are working to promote global strategic alliances and position Galicia as a world leader in the space and satellite communications industry,” concluded Antonio.
Strengthening of SHYCEA’s document preservation and technical capabilities
The third block of the conference focused on strengthening documentary and technical preservation in the aerospace field, highlighting its importance in operational safety and reinforcing institutional values. The session was attended by the Air and Space Force, represented by Major General José Luis Figuero Aguilar, Head of the Historical and Cultural Service (SHYCEA), who emphasized the key role of preserving knowledge and technical memory to ensure safety, operational continuity, and the transmission of values in the aerospace industry.
Major General Jose Luis Figuero Aguilar, Head of Historical and Cultural Services, explained that documentary and technical preservation is not only an exercise in historical memory, but also a fundamental pillar for strengthening operational safety in the aerospace field. “The knowledge accumulated over decades is key to avoiding mistakes, ensuring the continuity of our operations, and projecting the values that define us as an institution. At a time of great technological transformation, we must remember that innovation is also based on experience. Preserving, studying, and transmitting our documentary and cultural legacy is essential for training new generations and ensuring that advances in defense and aviation are developed with maximum safety and efficiency.”
Decarbonization, efficiency, and new technologies
Javier Arnaldo, Airbus’s national representative for sustainability and the environment, explained that: “Despite our European roots, Airbus is a global company with more than 14,000 employees spread across different countries. The industry is experiencing sustained growth, with 4.4 billion passengers worldwide and a key role in international trade. In Spain, 82% of tourists arrive by air; in Galicia, traffic exceeds 5.9 million passengers, with annual growth of 4%.
“Sustainability is an essential pillar for a more secure and prosperous future. At Airbus, we see it as an opportunity for innovation, based on three values: respect for the planet, the value of people, and shared prosperity. . We are advancing in the decarbonization of the industry through more efficient aircraft, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), intelligent air traffic management, and disruptive technologies such as hydrogen-powered aircraft. Our commitment is clear: to lead the transition toward more sustainable and competitive aviation,” concludes Arnaldo.
Beatriz Ventero, Director of Global Technology Business Development at Boeing, stated that: “Our roadmap towards more sustainable aviation is based on five key pillars: fleet renewal, operational efficiency, the use of renewable energies, advanced technology, and path-based operations, a model that allows us to predict optimal routes and reduce resource consumption.
In terms of electrification, one of the greatest advances comes from Wisk, with the development of a 100% electric and fully autonomous aircraft designed for passenger transport. This project poses an unprecedented regulatory and certification challenge, which we are already working on with the aim of achieving certification in 2028. The aircraft currently has 1,600 flight hours under its belt and its safety standards exceed those of any conventional aircraft by three to four times.
In the field of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), we have achieved significant milestones: in 2008, we made the first flight using biofuel, and in 2023, the first transatlantic flight powered 100% by SAF. Over the years, we have achieved various successes and forged strategic alliances with multiple entities to accelerate the adoption of these fuels. Finally, with the CASCADE project, and in line with the global commitment of civil aviation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, we have created a modeling framework that allows us to analyze future scenarios and place data at the center of the global debate on emissions reduction,” said Ventero.
Elena Carrera, Deputy Director of Aircraft Safety at AESA, explained that: “AESA is committed to ensuring that progress towards more sustainable and innovative aviation is always made in accordance with the highest safety standards. The transition to new fuels, materials, and technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) or electric and unmanned aircraft, requires a robust, agile, and coordinated regulatory framework.
“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.
“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.“At the Agency, we work to balance sustainability and operational safety, promoting collaboration between industry, institutions, and authorities. Our role is to accompany the industry in this transformation, promoting responsible innovation, efficiency, and the decarbonization of aviation, without compromising passenger confidence or environmental protection,” concluded Carrera.
The fifth block of the conference addressed the challenges of interoperability, secure communications, and combat networks of the future, analyzing how technological innovation is transforming defense and aviation globally.
Plácido Márquez, CEO of Destinus Spain, explained that “Destinus is a company founded just four years ago, dedicated to the development of tactical and strategic drones. We have operations and research centers in Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and a team of 650 professionals of 38 nationalities, 200 of whom work in Spain.
We currently have thousands of drones in operation, which allows us to guarantee a mature and reliable product. Our development model is based on a continuous feedback cycle, combining operational proximity, iterative R&D&I, software model training and artificial intelligence, and agile, scalable production. This approach allows us to accelerate innovation and consolidate our position as a technological leader in sustainable autonomous aerial systems,” said Márquez.
Ludovica Rendine, Leonardo’s Country Manager for Spain, pointed out that “2025 is proving to be a decisive year for European security, defense, and the aerospace industry. We are facing a historic opportunity to strengthen the continent’s industrial capacity, promote strategic autonomy, and consolidate a common market for technological innovation.
“At Leonardo, we are more committed than ever to building strong, lasting partnerships and developing advanced technologies for the long term. We want to leverage European financial instruments to boost competitiveness, sustainability, and digitalization in the defense and aerospace industry.”
“Interoperability and secure communications are now more essential than ever for the effectiveness of multinational operations. In this regard, Leonardo is committed to advanced systems that integrate air, land, sea, and space platforms in a unified, secure, and agile digital environment capable of delivering information and operational superiority across all domains,” concluded Rendine.
Joaquín Toubes, Product Manager – Crypto Space at Grupo Oesía, emphasized that: “At Grupo Oesía, we work to drive technological transformation and industrial sovereignty in key industries such as defense, space, cybersecurity, and aerospace. With more than 3,700 professionals and a presence in 42 international markets, we are a Spanish company that develops advanced high-tech products entirely designed, manufactured, and certified in Spain. Through the integration of land, naval, air, space, and cyberspace capabilities, we offer secure, scalable, and sustainable solutions that strengthen national sovereignty and allied cooperation in strategic environments.”
“At a time when global security and digital transformation are more necessary than ever, the Oesía Group reaffirms its commitment to leading Spanish technological innovation and contributing to the development of a secure and sovereign digital future,” concluded Toubes.
Jorge Munir El Malek, Head of Combat Cloud and Avionics Business at Indra’s FCAS, highlighted that “The Combat Cloud represents a decisive technological leap towards a more interconnected, intelligent, and collaborative defense. It allows for the real-time integration of all domains—air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace—ensuring information superiority and more agile and accurate decision-making.
At Indra, we are leading this advance within the main European and national programs, consolidating Spain’s technological sovereignty and industrial capacity. Our NIMBUS solution, recently tested at the Rozas Flight Center (Lugo), is a pioneering milestone in Europe and a key piece in the development of collaborative combat of the future,” said El Malek.
Closing
During the closing ceremony, David Regades, State Delegate for the Vigo Free Trade Zone, pointed out that “The CIAG reinforces the role of Vigo and Galicia as leaders in innovation and industrial development, demonstrating our ability to attract talent, promote partnerships, and attract strategic projects in high value-added sectors such as aerospace.”
At the Vigo Free Trade Zone, we remain committed to promoting flagship projects that consolidate Galicia as a hub for competitiveness, investment, and quality employment. Public-private collaboration is essential in this process, and we offer all our experience, capabilities, and resources.
This year also saw the creation of the Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Vigo, a commitment to human talent and knowledge, and the example of Alén Space, which has developed 100% of the nanosatellites launched from Spain, consolidating Galicia’s leadership in technological innovation.
The credit for putting Vigo on the aerospace map belongs to everyone: companies, institutions, and professionals who work every day to strengthen this industry. From the Free Trade Zone, we extend our hand so that any industrial or innovative project can find its best ally here, said Regades.
Abel Caballero, Mayor of Vigo, highlighted that “this congress puts Vigo on the international map of the aerospace and technology industry. Our city is once again demonstrating its ability to host major events that attract talent, investment, knowledge, and opportunities for the future. Today, Vigo is an industrial powerhouse and a benchmark for innovation, with an ecosystem that combines businesses, universities, and technology centers committed to sustainable development and digital transformation.”
The CIAG reinforces this positioning by promoting public-private collaboration and consolidating Galicia, and especially Vigo, as a strategic hub for the advancement of the European aerospace industry. This event, the CIAG, not only projects the image of a dynamic city open to the world, but also reaffirms our commitment to technology, sustainability, and Galician talent as drivers of progress.
*Full link to photographs of the Congress: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XyIGmqHdumeHpnPRok-6QWBBcDzxzYUC?usp=share_link
