French aerospace awaits 2011 recovery
For French aerospace industry association GIFAS the crisis year of 2009 was a “year of resilience” and 2010 is “a year of transition,” with air traffic inc

For French aerospace industry association GIFAS the crisis year of 2009 was a “year of resilience” and 2010 is “a year of transition,” with air traffic increasing again powered by low-cost companies and the emerging nations. GIFAS chairman Jean-Paul Herteman said he is “confident that 2011 could be a year of recovery for our industry, but it will not come sooner.”

According to GIFAS, air traffic is increasing, the emerging nations are growing and manufacturing is rising gradually. The association also hopes that France’s national “Great Loan” stimulus plan will help pilot schemes to ensure the industry’s future (see box). But despite a recently improved dollar/euro parity, the exchange rate has weighed heavily on GIFAS members and is “still the main threat” to the French aerospace industry.