Delegation: Business Development in the Aviation Industry

This business development program supports German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the aerospace sector in building long-term business relationships and concrete market opportunities in Canada’s leading aviation regions Montréal and Calgary. The delegation targets companies offering solutions in sustainable aircraft technologies, lightweight structures and cabin innovations, advanced air mobility (including MRO and drones), training and simulation, as well as digitalization and data-driven production in aviation.

Over the course of a week, participants benefit from a comprehensive market introduction into the Canadian aerospace ecosystem, including site visits to major industry players and innovation hubs. Individually arranged B2B meetings with potential customers, partners, authorities, and research institutions, complemented by networking formats, provide direct access to decision-makers in Canada. The program is part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy’s market development scheme for SMEs and is implemented by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CGCIC) together with the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) and SBS systems for business solutions.

The market situation in the Canadian aerospace sector is highly dynamic and characterized by strong growth. With a value added of around CAD 34.2 billion and approximately 225,000 employees, Canada ranks among the world’s leading aerospace locations and is in the global top five in key segments such as civil aircraft, engines, and flight simulators. The metropolitan region of Montréal in particular, as the third-largest aerospace cluster worldwide, forms the heart of the industry, accounting for around half of national production and demonstrating a strong export orientation.

At the same time, Calgary and the province of Alberta are increasingly developing into important hubs for MRO, training, drone technologies, and defense-related innovation. Driven by rising demand for commercial aircraft, fleet modernization, and investments in sustainable and digitalized technologies, the market is forecast to grow significantly, reaching over USD 53.9 billion by 2031. Overall, interconnected clusters, government support, and access to the North American market offer attractive opportunities for technology-oriented companies.

For over 55 years, the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CGCIC), based in Toronto, has been successfully advising SMEs on entering the Canadian market. AHK Canada’s team offers services such as accounting, company formation, immigration consulting, market analysis, and business partner searches.

Since 1999, SBS systems for business solutions has been developing tailored solutions for internationalization projects. Its core business lies in advising medium-sized companies on their export activities in the North American market.

The BDLI is the trade association representing the German aerospace industry, headquartered in Berlin. It unites over 260 member companies, employing more than 200,000 people with an annual turnover of approximately 52 billion euros.