Aviation in Provence, an unexpected asset
The aviation sector in Provence is a leading industry with five global giants Europcopter, Thales Alenia Space, Dassault Aviation, Snecma Moteurs, Areva TA and the Pégase competitive industry cluster.
In the Bouches-du-Rhône département, the industry is represented for the most part by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS and world leader in the manufacturing of helicopters.
In the greater Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur administrative region, activities include five core competencies:
- Helicopters – 400 helicopters delivered in 2008
- Satellites – design and construction of several dozens of satellites each year
- Simulations and flight tests
- Drones and blimps with five major competencies – aeronautics design, sensors, signal processing, air safety and flight tests/ measurements/ traffic control
- Light aircraft and green aviation
…and further competencies in:
- Surveillance
- Inspections
- Presence in hostile zones
- Transportation
