Coimbra, Portugal, 24 November 2025 – Airbus and Critical Software have signed an agreement to establish a new joint venture, Critical FlyTech, that will focus on the development of embedded software and services for aerospace applications to Airbus and its affiliated companies.

Headquartered in Coimbra, with an additional office in Lisbon, the company will support Airbus’ leadership in the aerospace sector through the design and development of high-assurance, mission-critical solutions and certifiable software across several domains, including avionics, cabin and connectivity systems.

The joint venture will be 51% owned by Airbus and 49% by Critical Software. This partnership reinforces Airbus’ investment in Portugal and merges its extensive expertise in aerospace with Critical Software’s proven track record in embedded and safety-critical software engineering.

Critical FlyTech will be headed by Ricardo Armas and plans to launch early next year with an initial team of 120 employees and to grow to 300 employees by the end of 2028. 

The team, as part of Airbus’ specialised ecosystem and global footprint, will bring together strategic skills in the long term that are key to safety, performance and certification across every platform, aligned with the growing complexity and digitalisation of aerospace systems. 

“This partnership is a new chapter in our journey to build a better and safer world. Critical FlyTech reflects what Critical Software has always stood for, a belief that great engineering, curiosity and courage can make a lasting impact. Together with Airbus, we’re turning that belief into reality and creating technology that not only flies but also inspires”, says Gonçalo Quadros, Chairman of Critical Software.

“With a proven track record of innovation and technological firsts, Airbus prides itself on partnering with companies that are looking to change history. This joint venture allows us to fully embrace the agility and expertise of Critical Software to align our embedded software footprint with the increasing digitalisation of aerospace. The foundation of Critical FlyTech marks the realisation of that ambition and reinforces both companies’ roles as strategic partners in aerospace innovation,” says Marc Fischer, Senior Vice President Engineering – Cabin & Cargo at Airbus.

“By combining the strengths of Airbus and Critical Software, we are building a new centre of excellence for high-assurance aerospace software. Our mission is clear: to deliver technology that meets the highest standards of safety, reliability and innovation, and that shapes the future of aviation, space and defence,” says Ricardo Armas, future CEO of Critical FlyTech.

Source: Airbus & Critical Software