ABSTRACT
The commercial aircraft industry is often seen as a symbol of a country’s export leadership in product markets that require a high level of design and engineering innovation. Aircraft manufacturing demands significant sources of capital for research and development and access to highly skilled labour, manufacturing materials, components and markets. A characteristic of aircraft manufacturing has been constant innovation. In part, this innovation is driven by the need to lower costs at all stages of the supply chain and to construct aircraft with improved operational performance such as increased fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. Historically, almost every major European country had its own domestic commercial aircraft manufacturing industry. India is another country with a rapidly emerging commercial aircraft manufacturing industry. Future demand growth for air travel would suggest that demand for new aircraft should remain resilient.
