Clean Aviation and Andalusia join forces for more competitive and sustainable aeronautics

Seville, 23 July 2025 | The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and the Regional Government of Andalusia have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to boost the development of competitive low-emission aircraft technologies and concepts.

The parties are preparing a joint strategic roadmap designed to align with the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, with the objective of identifying Research & Innovation areas on which the Regional Government of Andalusia will concentrate its efforts.

In February 2025, in recognition of an aerospace sector which accounts for nearly 14 percent of the region’s industrial GDP, the Regional Minister for University, Research and Innovation committed to mobilise up to €15 million from the European Regional Development Fundto support the regional ecosystem by carrying out innovative projects which contribute to the Clean Aviation objectives. This is part of an ambitious investment plan focusing on sustainable aviation. The Andalusian Regional Government, through the Regional Minister for Industry, Energy and Mines, will additionally mobilise up to €20 million to support the joint roadmap.

The strategic cooperation which has been launched today will help foster the competitiveness of the European supply chain, strengthen the region’s focus on innovation in sustainable aeronautics and, ultimately, support jobs and nurture talents.

Axel Krein, Executive Director of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, states: “Andalusia has a strong tradition in aeronautics innovation. That’s why we are delighted to deepen our collaboration through the Memorandum of Cooperation and form a strong strategic partnership. In this way, we can leverage regional expertise, skills and resources to help boost aviation competitiveness and sustainability”.

José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, Regional Minister for University, Research and Innovation, adds: “The alliance signed today is a decisive push to the aerospace ecosystem in Andalusia. It will streamline the access of Andalusian companies and technological centres to the opportunities Clean Aviation offers, and strengthen international synergies in innovation cooperative projects. The Memorandum of Cooperation directly addresses the demand of the aerospace sector to reinforce the key position of Andalusia at both national and European level, an objective also stated in the Andalusian Aerospace Strategy.”

Jorge Paradela Gutiérrez, Regional Minister for Industry, Energy and Mines, agrees: “Andalusia wants to attract companies interested in the new challenges and opportunities that the energy transition poses for transport and aviation. Just recently, we launched an innovative initiative in collaboration with the Jerez City Council to support the creation of a Net Zero Aeronautical Hub with €17.3 million from the European Just Transition Fund. Our aim is to boost an industrial ecosystem focused on the decarbonisation of air transport. The Memorandum of Cooperation will take this ambition to a new level.”

Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme, highlights the importance of establishing cooperative synergies with European regions – as does the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. Synergies between Clean Aviation and national and regional initiatives deliver significant impact, for example by:

• Expanding skills, capabilities and resources relevant for sustainable aeronautics in the areas in which the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking is working;
• Boosting disruptive technologies and concepts for low-emission aircraft;
• Strengthening the competitiveness of regional aviation players, in particular SMEs and start-ups;
• Creating jobs and developing skills required for the transition of aviation towards climate-neutrality.

Since 2023, the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking has signed four MoCs with regional governments, i.e., Occitanie (FR), Campania, Piemont (IT), and Hamburg (DE), and one Member State, i.e. Portugal, leveraging on their commitments for net-zero aviation.

Next to the audience, the following persons were present at the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation:

• Juan Francisco Reyes Sanchez, Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology, Chair of Clean Aviation’s State Representatives Group, representing Spain
• Antonio Gomez-Guillamon, CEO and Founder of aeronautics company Aertec, President of Andalucía Aerospace Business Cluster
• Jaume Marcos, Airbus R&T National Representative Spain

Jorge Paradela Gutiérrez, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos and Axel Krein signing the Memorandum of Cooperation

Source: Clean Aviation