The challenges for the aerospace industry
As recently as 2019, the German aerospace industry had around 81,000 direct employees and generated an annual turnover of EUR 41 billion. The ongoing coronavirus crisis led to a slump in demand over a period that far exceeded initial forecasts. However, there are signs of a significant recovery in air traffic for the first time in 2022 compared to previous years. The number of European flights in June 2022 was 83.9 % higher than in the same month last year. However, the industry is now struggling with a shortage of service staff and technical air traffic operations due to the exodus of specialist staff during the coronavirus pandemic. The pressure on companies in the space industry is also increasing. SpaceX and BlueOrigin are entering the market as new big players. In addition, numerous start-ups have emerged in the space sector in recent years, putting pressure on established companies with new business models and technological approaches. The speakers from the aerospace industry at the 30th Munich Management Colloquium will talk about how companies can react to this variable and dynamic economic environment and successfully position their company for the future.
The German Lufthansa AG has demonstrated excellent crisis management despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus crisis. As far as the political restrictions allowed, passenger transport services were always maintained. The freight transport sector was even able to benefit. In addition, the stabilization by the Economic Stabilization Fund of the Federal Republic of Germany was successfully completed earlier than expected in September 2022. In parallel to crisis management and maintaining day-to-day business, innovation and sustainability are being driven forward within the company. As part of the Lufthansa Innovation Hub, the start-up SQUAKE was spun off, which supports logistics, travel and mobility companies in decarbonizing their business activities. Furthermore, Deutsche Lufthansa AG recognized early on that the right strategy in terms of data collection and use and the use of artificial intelligence can make a significant contribution to business success. Software solutions are used to increase customer satisfaction and make employees' work easier. Building on the experience gained in the company, the Lufthansa Industry Solutions division offers solutions in the field of data science in the "AI as a service" format for SMEs and corporations. Customers can use an existing system for their own applications in all phases of data analysis and only pay for the period in which the service is used. This makes it possible for companies with little expertise in this area to use data science.
The Airbus SE has been driving forward the development of its company's entrepreneurial resilience, innovation and sustainability in recent years. In cooperation with Linde, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, research is to be conducted into hydrogen infrastructure for airports and the first pilot projects will be implemented from 2023. The long-term aim is to develop an emission-free aircraft by 2035. In addition, a new business unit, Airbus Protect, has been established to offer cybersecurity solutions. The aim is to enable companies to implement new IT systems and develop increasingly intelligent and data-driven products despite a rapidly changing, complex cyber threat landscape. Airbus Protect also supports its customers in risk management and mitigation in the implementation of sustainability strategies.
The MT Aerospace AG is significantly involved in the European launcher programs. With work shares of well over 10% in the Ariane 5 and 6 programs, MT Aerospace demonstrates its importance in the international launcher industry. In addition to the launchers, MT Aerospace is also active in the fields of space transportation, satellites, aircraft equipment, deep-space antennas, optical and radio telescopes. As a partner of Boeing, the company also supplies components for the NASA Space Launch System, currently the most powerful rocket in the world. As a driver of innovation, the company has been active for many years in the development of innovative technologies through to process maturity, thus ensuring its own growth. Building on many years of experience in the field of technology development, MT Aerospace AG is involved in defining standards for 3D printing in relation to the entire process chain of the technology. The company is thus making a significant contribution to ensuring that the additive manufacturing of large, metallic components for aerospace is qualified and can be used on a large scale.
The Munich Management Colloquium in March 2023 offers the opportunity to learn solutions from the leading figures in the industry and to make a decisive contribution to Germany as a business location through the change processes presented and the associated innovations.
Among others, the following speakers from the aerospace industry and the supplier industry will give presentations on the necessary change processes:
- Sabine KlaukeChief Technical Officer (CTO), Airbus SE
- Hans J. Steininger, Chief Executive Officer, MT Aerospace AG