Airbus partners with Critical Software to develop Portugal's Aerospace sector

Valerie Charoux
9 hours ago
2 min read

Aerospace News Europe - Airbus partners with tech company Critical Software to develop Portugal's Aerospace sector. The Joint Venture is established under the name Critical FlyTech, where Airbus owns 51% of the new company.

Portugal’s aerospace sector is expanding with this new partnership between Airbus and Critical Software that aims “to provide technological solutions that meet the most stringent criteria for safety, reliability and innovation, and that shape the future of aviation, space and defense,” stated the CEO of Critical FlyTech, Ricardo Armas.

The Airbus Tech Hub in Portugal already represents revenues of more than 70 million euros and has created more than 1,500 direct jobs in Portugal. With the creation of Critical FlyTech, Airbus is in a phase of significant growth in Portugal.

What are the Airbus investments in Portugal?

These are the Airbus investments in Portugal:

1 – Critical FlyTech

A joint venture between Airbus and Critical Software establishing Critical FlyTech in November 2025.

2 – Airbus – AED Eurofighter Typhoon program

Airbus partners with the Portuguese Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster AED, that involves more than 160 Portuguese entities, as part of the European Eurofighter Typhoon Consortium that will supply fighter jets to Portugal. The partnership will be in the areas of fuselage and engine production, maintenance, and training.

The Eurofighter program includes several European NATO partners, such as Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

3 – Airbus Global Business Services Hub GBS

Airbus began investing in Portugal in 2018. In 2021, the Airbus Global Business Services Hub (Airbus GBS), was established in Lisbon and with a satellite office in Coimbra.

4 – Airbus Atlantic

Airbus Atlantic inaugurated an industrial plant in Santo Tirso, Portugal, in 2022. Airbus Atlantic Portugal, that is part of Airbus Atlantic, is a fully owned Airbus subsidiary. Currently, this Airbus business unit produces panels for the A320 family and for the A350 XWB front fuselage as well as sub-assemblies for the A320 family.

Airbus has more than 30 Portuguese suppliers in its supply chain and employs over 1,500 employees in Portugal.