‘Local aerospace parts factories, which employ some 3,000 workers, are forecast to produce $2.5 billion worth of products by 2022’

Last June 4 to 6, Clark, Pampanga hosted the 2018 Aeromart Summit, an international convention for the aerospace, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and airport infrastructure industries.

The country’s participation in the event was more than just a venue provider. The Philippines is actually a significant player in the global aviation industry making it a rightful host of the gathering of aviation suppliers, contractors and decision-makers.

More importantly, the Aeromart Summit showcased the growing capabilities and potential of the Philippines in aerospace manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul and aviation training.

There are dozens of OEMs that are actually engaged in the manufacture and export of plane parts. For example, Cavite-based Famous Secret Precision Machining Inc., which has been assembling light sports aircraft since 2008, started producing commercial aircraft parts since 2010.

In commercial aircraft maintenenance, there is NAIA-based Lufthansa Teknik Philippines which not only provides MRO services to German carrier Lufthansa Airlines but also to other domestic and international airlines.

In pilot training, the PATTS College of Aeronautics based in Paranaque City is the country’s main aeronautics and plane mechanic school.

The Philippines itself is an aviation hub with its airports across the archipelago, airlines and a very robust travel and airfreight market.

Local aerospace parts factories, which employ some 3,000 workers, are forecast to produce $2.5 billion worth of products by 2022, according to the Board of Investments, one of the institutional organizers of the Aeromart Summit in Clark, the second gateway to the Philippines.

Surely, the summit has generated investment and outsourcing opportunities in Clark and other aviation hubs in the country. More importantly, local aerospace industry players would be able to reach out to a wider global market.

With its great potential and very promising future, the local aerospace industry is indeed flying high.