About us

Our daily work is about more than just dialogue. The Federal Government is one of Airbus' most important customers in the aerospace and defence sectors. On top of that, we rely on political support in many of our businesses around the world, be it export issues or key markets like China. 

Due to the diversity of our products and services, the Berlin Airbus Hub is in contact with more than 150 specialist departments in ten federal ministries as well as the Chancellery. Added to this are the deputies of the German parliament Bundestag and the federal states where Airbus has sites. The Berlin office also has a branch office in Bonn for important dialogues with the Rhine region (“Rheinschiene”).  

Last but not least, Airbus in Berlin also supports our Brussels colleagues on important EU issues. 

Strategic importance of aerospace

• Aerospace is a key strategic industry in Germany and Europe.

Fair competition worldwide

• Germany and the EU should step up their efforts to promote fairness and a level playing field worldwide. The worlds of politics and industry should seek a close alliance. 

• Given the trade conflict with the US, there is a need for concerted countermeasures on the part of European politics. The EU should acknowledge and underpin the strategic importance of the sector (for example, in trade policy, economic diplomacy and research and innovation policy). Economic success, especially in exports, depends largely on political support. 

Continue to promote research and technology at a high level

• The Federal Government is committed to strengthening Germany as an innovation location. The aviation research programme (LuFo) should be continued at a high level.

• If Germany intends to permanently surpass the 3% R&D expenditure target, a tax incentive of at least 10% should be introduced for all companies in addition to the increase in direct funds.

Inclusion of aviation in a mobility concept of the future/promotion of alternative propulsion technologies (hybrid/electric propulsion)

E-mobility does not just apply to cars. Electric and hybrid engines are also playing an increasingly important role in aviation. This should be promoted accordingly by the Federal Government. It is important to ensure that the balance between climate protection and competitiveness is maintained. 

Strategic importance of the defence industry 

• The security and defence industry is of strategic national interest not only from an economic, but also technological and security perspectives. 

Franco-German cooperation as the engine of European defence policy  

• With the Franco-German Declaration of 13 July 2017, both nations stressed the importance of a European Common Security and Defence Policy. The aim is to improve European defence capability and secure long-term industrial expertise and R&D capabilities. The "Lead Nation" organisational concept should serve as a guideline, as should the involvement of interested European partner nations in combining needs and budgets and avoiding parallel initiatives. A prerequisite for the successful implementation of the projects is to gain early clarity about export opportunities. This requires the alignment of existing export regulations between the two countries.

German Academy of Science and Engineering (Senat der Deutschen Akademie der Technikwissenschaften)

The German Academy of Science and Technology is committed to sustainable prosperity through innovation.

www.acatech.de

German Council on Foreign Relations (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik e.V.)

The DGAP is a national network for foreign policy and promotes foreign policy opinion forming in Germany.

dgap.org

*Disclaimer:

The overview on memberships of associations and think tanks solely illustrates an extract and raises no claim to completeness.