Andalusia and Clean Aviation team up for sustainable aviation

Clean Aviation. From left to right, Jorge Paradela Gutiérrez, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, and Axel Krein.

 The Clean Aviation joint venture and the regional government of Andalusia have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) to boost the development of innovative and competitive technologies for low-emission aircraft.

A joint strategic roadmap is currently being developed, based on Clean Aviation’s strategic research and innovation programme. It should help identify the areas of research and innovation on which the regional government of Andalusia will focus its efforts.

The aerospace sector accounts for nearly 14% of the region’s industrial GDP. In February 2025, recognising its importance, the regional minister for University, Research and Innovation committed to mobilising up to €15 million from the European Regional Development Fund to support this regional ecosystem.

A budget allocation to create an aeronautical hub

The regional government of Andalusia, through the Regional Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines, will also mobilise up to €20 million to support the joint roadmap.

“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, says Jorge Paradela Gutiérrez, Regional Minister for Industry, Energy and Mines. 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,” he adds.

“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,” said Axel Krein, Executive Director of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking.

“The alliance signed today will streamline the access of Andalusian companies and technological centres to the opportunities Clean Aviation offers, and strengthen international synergies in innovation cooperative projects,” added José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, Regional Minister for University, Research and Innovation.

Since 2023, Clean Aviation has signed four memoranda of understanding with regional governments, namely Occitanie in France, Campania and Piedmont in Italy, and Hamburg in Germany, as well as with one Member State, Portugal, building on their commitments to net-zero aviation.