ADS Toulouse Trade Missions to Hamburg
As part of ADS Toulouse’s ambition to strengthen its European footprint in 2026, these delegations represent strategic opportunities to deepen relationships and foster new collaborations beyond France. Hamburg is one of Europe’s leading aerospace hubs, with a strong concentration of OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, MRO and composite players, and innovation centres. The delegations provided participants with a dedicated platform to explore bilateral cooperation and business development opportunities between the UK and German aerospace ecosystems.
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May 2026
The mission kicked off with a welcome dinner, offering members the opportunity to connect and exchange ahead of a full program of industrial visits.
The following morning began with a visit to Satair, covering a comprehensive overview of Satair’s services, operations and quality activities. Members gained valuable insight into the entity’s expertise before enjoying a detailed tour of the warehouse and its different operational areas.
The delegation then continued to Safran Helicopter Engines GmbH, with presentations on Safran and Safran Germany. Beyond learning about the entity’s activities and products, members also gained valuable insight into the company’s business model, market vision and the key challenges and opportunities shaping the sector. Members particularly appreciated gaining a deeper understanding of Safran Helicopter Engines Germany’s two core activities: providing commercial and technical support to customers and delivering maintenance services through its certified maintenance centre.
The visit was especially impressive given the site’s modern and state-of-the-art facilities, offering members a valuable opportunity to discover the entity’s operational excellence firsthand.
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June 2026
Following the success of the first trade mission, ADS Toulouse returned to Hamburg for a second delegation, this time in collaboration with Hamburg Aviation, bringing together members for two days of visits, networking and industry exchanges.
On day one, the delegation visited Lufthansa Technik, where members enjoyed a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Lufthansa’s world-class operations, combined with insightful discussions on operations and its role within the global aerospace ecosystem. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect our UK members with one of the industry’s leading players and gain a deeper understanding of its capabilities and activities.
Later in the evening, a joint ADS Toulouse – Hamburg Aviation dinner was hosted, providing a fantastic opportunity for members from both networks to connect and strengthen relationships.
The following morning the delegation travelled to ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research, for an inspiring visit highlighting the strength of its research and innovation ecosystem. From advanced technologies to future aircraft concepts, the discussions offered a compelling glimpse into the future of aerospace.
The mission concluded with privileged opportunity to visit Airbus and the Composite Technology Center / CTC GmbH (An Airbus Company) in Stade, offering UK members a rare insight into some of the most advanced composite manufacturing capabilities in the aerospace industry. A true first for all participants, the visit showcased the expertise, innovation, and industrial excellence behind key Airbus programmes, from the production of A350 wing covers to the Vertical Tail Planes for all Airbus aircraft families. An impressive demonstration of the technologies and know-how shaping the future of aerospace manufacturing.
