Mexico is the largest military and commercial aircraft market in Latin America. It has the second largest business aircraft fleet in the world and has a large private aviation services industry to service the oil and gas sector and provide executive transport. Mexican aerospace imports are spread evenly between aircraft and aircraft parts, aero-engines and avionics.

    Mexico is a strategic location for the development of aerospace both in manufacturing (engine components, harnesses and cables, components of landing systems, plastic injection, heat exchangers, precision machining, airfoil repairs, audio & video systems, electronic components, fuselage insulation, interiors, among others) and in engineering (design and aeronautical components – for military and civil applications). More than a dozen new international companies have invested in this sector over the last couple of years. In 2004, exports of aeronautical components and engineering designs totaled more than $400 million, with 10,000 people in 11 states employed in the industry. But these figures are expected to increase tenfold with exports forecast in the region of $2 billion by 2010. Capabilities are already in Mexico - the experience and success in the development of the automotive and electrical-electronic sectors should guarantee their success in the development of aerospace.

    The Mexican market for aircraft has proven to be strong and lucrative with many competitive domestic airlines, and a General Directorate of Civil Aviation. Its growing aerospace market is indicative of its potential for profitable investment. In recent years, major U.S. aerospace companies have either opened plant operations in Mexico or found a...

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