What began with a full schedule of 21 pre-arranged meetings quickly evolved into a whirlwind of opportunity for the Alabama Department of Commerce team at last week’s 2025 Paris Air Show, where the state team engaged with executives from more than 36 aerospace companies — surpassing expectations and setting the stage for future investment.

Among the conversations were discussions around a major $1 billion project that could bring 500 new jobs to Alabama, along with additional project leads totaling $500 million and the potential for 400 more jobs statewide.

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Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair called Alabama’s mission to the Paris Air Show a resounding success, underscoring the strategic value of face-to-face meetings and the unified front presented by the state’s delegation.

“Our delegation was proud to showcase the state’s unmatched strengths in aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing,” McNair said. “We were especially grateful for the strong support from our Congressional delegation, whose leadership reinforces Alabama’s standing on the world stage.

“This mission also highlighted the power of collaboration — bringing together communities, universities and economic development allies from across the state, all united by a shared commitment to growth and innovation,” she added.

“The momentum we’ve built in Paris will continue to drive results for Alabama.”

‘Aerospace state’

Bob Smith, Commerce’s aerospace industry specialist, said many of the state team’s air show meetings focused on existing projects already underway in Alabama, a strategic decision aimed at leveraging the presence of state leaders on site.

“For our state leaders to be able to engage one-on-one with company executives is an opportunity that doesn’t happen during the normal project process,” Smith said. “The trade show provides that opportunity, and we were able to take advantage of it this year.”

U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Reps. Dale Strong and Mike Rogers spent a considerable amount of time at the “Made in Alabama” booth last Monday to support the state delegation at the show.

Additionally, representatives from several Alabama universities and community colleges joined community leaders from around the state at the booth.

Smith said he and Veronica Crock, a Commerce Senior Project Manager who also focuses on the aerospace and defense sectors, uncovered new leads and opportunities at the show, including several promising companies that made unanticipated visits to the “Made in Alabama” booth.

“Aerospace companies with supplier or contract opportunities, or those introducing new products, are looking at Alabama as an aerospace state that can provide them with the workforce and infrastructure to succeed,” Smith said.

“Our Alabama brand was very well showcased this year at the show.”

Crock added: “This was a very productive year at the show. I think our strategy played out well. We had our state agenda and worked very seamlessly with local communities that had their prospects.”

Industry trends

Attendance at this year’s air show was up sharply, reflecting renewed global momentum in the aerospace sector.

The event gave the Alabama team insights into industry trends. Emerging technologies were a major focus of the event, with extensive displays and R&D discussions around hydrogen propulsion, hybrid-electric aircraft and sustainable synthetic fuels for both fixed-wing and rotary platforms.

Still, persistent challenges were front and center. Manufacturers and OEMs cited ongoing supply chain bottlenecks that continue to delay aircraft deliveries. Some analysts suggest the global industry may need six or seven years to catch up with current demand.

Over the next two decades, the global fleet of commercial aircraft is expected to double to nearly 50,000, with 80% of today’s fleet requiring replacement.

The largest demand will come from single-aisle aircraft — the same type produced in Mobile, which is poised to play a pivotal role in the sector’s expansion.

Read all the news about the Alabama team in Paris.