A powerful new industry report has revealed that the aerospace sector is a primary engine for economic prosperity in the South West of England, directly creating tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs and generating billions for the regional economy.
Aerospace Cluster Anchors Regional Economy
The analysis, conducted by the coalition Sustainable Aviation, found that within the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) area alone, nearly 14,000 jobs are directly supported by aviation and aerospace. Expanding the view to the wider South West region, which includes Cornwall and Devon, the industry is responsible for more than 48,000 roles.
The report emphasised the critical importance of the sector, stating: "The aviation industry plays a particularly important role in the South West region and the West of England Combined Authority." It highlighted the presence of world-leading industry, with Bristol Airport acting as the regional gateway, as a source of huge opportunity.
Global Giants and Strategic Hubs
At the heart of this success is the renowned aerospace cluster in Filton and Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire. This area is home to global titans such as Rolls-Royce, GKN, and Airbus, which collectively employ thousands. Sustainable Aviation identifies these companies and their extensive supply chains as "critical" to the UK's high-value aerospace ecosystem, driving both innovation and economic expansion.
Supporting this industrial base is Bristol Airport, the largest airport in the South West. Connecting to over 120 destinations and handling more than 10 million passengers annually, it plays a "critical role" in linking local businesses—especially the Filton cluster—to global markets. The airport also provides essential baseload demand for manufacturing and supply chains. In a significant development, November 2025 saw the airport launch a consultation on plans to extend its runway, aiming to enable new long-haul routes to the US and Middle East.
Investment and a Sustainable Future
Growth is not confined to Bristol. Cornwall Airport Newquay is proposing a major upgrade as part of a modernisation programme, having already introduced new high-performance technology in December 2025 to improve safety and reliability.
The economic narrative is powerfully coupled with a commitment to sustainability. Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, stated: "Aviation benefits the West of England by driving jobs and economic value to the region and this report highlights how aviation is the bedrock of the regional economy. This is only half the story – as we drive growth, we are also leading the transition to a cleaner aviation sector." He added that the industry's clear decarbonisation plan is already in motion, creating a new wave of high-skilled jobs.
The report also quantified the immense value of air freight, noting it supports 5.5% of the regional economy and contributes a staggering £9.5 billion to the South West's Gross Value Added (GVA). This data reinforces findings from a separate report in December 2025, which confirmed the West Country's aerospace sector is providing a substantial boost to regional manufacturing.
