Produced by the MAA, the survey tracks industry trends, with this year’s data revealing a rise in business turnover for the 13th year running.

Turnover within the Midlands aerospace cluster increased by 20% between 2016 and 2018 alone. The latest MAA data also shows that since 2005, business turnover within the sector has doubled. Employment has also increased by 50% too.

Andrew Mair, chief executive of the MAA, said: “The performance of the Midlands’ aerospace cluster far outstrips that of the UK’s national economy. This strong growth is undoubtedly based on the strong strategic positions Midlands’ companies have built in supplying the large passenger aircraft manufacturers.

“It’s also interesting to note that while turnover continues to grow, employment seems to have peaked. This appears to be due to a combination of some skills shortages, rising investment in automation, significant productivity increases and some offshoring to low-cost countries.”

The Midlands aerospace sector continues to track the MAA’s key benchmarks for the industry, which is based around the rising total aircraft output by Airbus and Boeing combined. In the region, this is led by Rolls-Royce, which is chiefly a designer and manufacturer of engines, components and parts for Airbus and Boeing passenger aircraft. Clusters in other regions may be more focused on military aircraft, helicopters, business jets, space etc., which the Midlands also supplies, but on a smaller scale.

www.midlandsaerospace.org.uk