In a significant move, the Mexican Federation of the Aerospace Industry (Femia) announced the initiation of a comprehensive census in early 2024 to assess the expanding landscape of the country’s aerospace sector. Over the past two decades, Mexico has witnessed a remarkable surge in the presence of national firms within the aerospace industry, evolving from non-existence to constituting around 30% of the total industry by 2019.

Luis Lizcano, Femia’s Executive Director, attributes this growth to increased interest from major aircraft manufacturers in collaborating with Mexican companies. Emphasizing the positive impact, Lizcano stated, “We have seen this growth of Mexican companies because large aircraft manufacturers are looking for them more. This is good news for everyone.”

The upcoming census aims to update industry data, building on the 2019 survey that identified 370 companies in the aerospace sector, with 30% being of Mexican origin. Femia anticipates a notable increase in this figure, reflecting the sector’s ongoing expansion.

While the aerospace industry primarily focuses on producing and selling aircraft parts, with a significant market presence in the United States and Europe, Femia acknowledges the key states contributing to this growth: Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Querétaro.

Despite facing challenges, such as the 31.8% decline in exports to approximately US$6.6 billion during the pandemic-hit 2020, the Mexican aerospace industry remains resilient. Femia remains optimistic about the future, recognizing the importance of continued efforts to boost the number of national companies and fortify Mexico’s position in the global aerospace arena.