Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra discusses challenges and opportunities for Andalusia’s aerospace industry at the 3rd MAPFRE Forum
Canagrosa’s CEO and President of Andalucía Aerospace took part in a panel discussion on Andalusia’s economic outlook alongside representatives from Grupo Insur and Grupo Aldomer
Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra, CEO of Canagrosa and President of Andalucía Aerospace, took part in the 3rd MAPFRE Forum on Economics and Wealth Management, held in Seville on 21 October, where he shared his views on the growth of Andalusia’s aerospace industry and its contribution to the region’s economic development.
Entitled “Three Sectors, One Economy: Understanding the Current Business Landscape”, the panel brought together Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra, Francisco Pumar, President of Grupo Insur, and José María Domínguez, President of Grupo Aldomer, to examine Andalusia’s economic development from the perspectives of different business sectors.
The aerospace industry’s contribution to Andalusia’s economy
During the discussion, Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra highlighted the growth of Andalusia’s aerospace industry, which accounts for approximately 14% of the region’s industrial GDP.
The latest industry figures reflect this trend. In 2025, Andalusia’s aerospace industry generated record revenue of €3.228 billion, an increase of 10.79% compared with the previous year, and supported 16,391 direct jobs.
This growth comes at a time of significant transformation, driven by evolving requirements in aerospace programmes and opportunities linked to aviation decarbonisation, the space industry, unmanned systems, advanced technologies and the strengthening of Europe's defence industrial capabilities.
Turning these opportunities into new projects, investment and employment is one of the industry's main challenges. Achieving this will require stronger supply chains, greater collaboration between companies and improved access for specialised SMEs to new markets and opportunities for growth.
“Andalusia has a real opportunity to attract new industrial investment, but we need to provide the right conditions. The availability of industrial land, sufficient energy infrastructure, transport connections, skilled professionals and streamlined administrative procedures will be essential if we are to compete with other regions,” says Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra.
In this regard, collaboration between public authorities, businesses, universities and technology centres is essential to anticipate industry needs, support the development of new projects and ensure that investment creates opportunities across Andalusia’s business community.
Business growth and industrial competitiveness
The evolution of the aerospace industry is placing new demands on companies throughout its value chain. Technology adoption, the development of specialised capabilities, internationalisation and access to skilled professionals are all essential to maintaining competitiveness.
At Canagrosa, we are addressing these challenges as a specialised international aerospace laboratory. Through materials and process testing and analysis, comprehensive calibration and metrology management, and special process validation, we help ensure the quality, safety and reliability required by the aerospace industry.
Since Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra became CEO of Canagrosa in November 2024, we have been working to consolidate a sustainable growth model, expand our technical capabilities and strengthen our international presence, while also diversifying our customer base and the industrial sectors we serve.
Talent is another key factor in this development. Continuous professional training, the transfer of specialist knowledge and collaboration with universities and vocational education and training institutions are essential to meeting the industry's evolving needs.
A forum on Andalusia’s economy
The 3rd MAPFRE Forum on Economics and Wealth Management brought together representatives from Andalusia’s business community and the international financial sector in Seville to discuss the economic outlook and market prospects.
The event also featured a panel discussion on investment risks and opportunities, with representatives from Pictet Asset Management, MFS and MAPFRE AM, and concluded with remarks by Álvaro Pimentel, Second Deputy Mayor of Seville
