World's 3rd Largest Aircraft Manufacturer 'Embraer' Signs Second MOU with Gyeongbuk Province

Participation in September Aerospace Defense Logistics Expo

"Gyeongbuk Aerospace Industry Takes a Step Forward"

Gyeongbuk Province and Embraer, the world's third-largest aircraft manufacturer, signed their second memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 16th to further strengthen cooperation for the development of the Gyeongbuk aviation industry.

Headquartered in Brazil, Embraer is the world's third-largest aircraft manufacturer after Boeing and Airbus.

Raul Villaron (right), Head of Embraer Asia Pacific, the world's third-largest aircraft manufacturer, is signing a business agreement with Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk.

On May 15th, the first MOU was signed at Pohang Gyeongju Airport, and with Embraer's flagship aircraft, the E190-E2, successfully completing a circling flight over Ulleungdo, the first step toward cooperation for the development of the aviation industry between Gyeongbuk Province and Embraer was taken.

This new MOU builds upon the first one but is more detailed in its cooperation contents, marking another significant achievement for the development of Gyeongbuk's aviation industry.

The main points of the agreement include Embraer exploring ways to contribute to promotional activities related to Gyeongbuk Province's aviation industry and participating in the ‘Gyeongsangbuk-do Aviation Defense Logistics Expo’ for this purpose. Embraer will collaborate with Gyeongbuk Province to share aviation industry knowledge and best practices through consulting and advisory services.

To this end, seminars will be hosted at educational institutions located in Gyeongbuk to provide aviation-related lectures to students, and exchanges with aviation parts companies based in Gyeongbuk will be activated. Gyeongbuk Province will cooperate mutually to establish infrastructure for the local aviation industry, initiate domestic operation of Embraer aircraft, and create conditions for aircraft maintenance activities.

Specifically, Gyeongbuk Province and Embraer plan to create a business-friendly environment so that when Embraer aircraft enter the domestic market, a liaison office will be established in the Gyeongbuk region to contribute to creating an overall aviation industry ecosystem in Gyeongbuk.

Additionally, Gyeongbuk Province and Embraer discussed various knowledge-sharing methods, including providing seminars for aviation-related students at local educational institutions.

Embraer shared the recognition that sharing industry best practices is important for nurturing the next generation of aviation talent.

In the future, Gyeongbuk Province plans to establish an ‘Aviation Industry Joint Campus’ linked with universities offering aviation MRO-related departments in the hinterland city of Daegu Gyeongbuk Airport.

At the joint campus, the province, city and county universities, and major aviation companies will collaborate to build infrastructure such as MRO joint training facilities, cultivate talent needed by companies, and establish a system where global aviation companies can recruit, thereby contributing to attracting businesses and creating jobs.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “Gyeongbuk Province has signed a second MOU with Embraer, a global aircraft manufacturer, based on trust. This is expected to help Gyeongbuk take a step forward in aircraft manufacturing, aviation materials and parts, and the MRO industry.” He added, “With the opening of Daegu Gyeongbuk Airport and the development of the airport new town, we will do our best to attract global aviation logistics giants who continue to knock on the door of Gyeongbuk’s aviation industry.”

Gyeongbuk Province is working not only with Embraer but also to attract aircraft operators, aviation MRO companies, aviation logistics companies, and related educational and research institutions for the development of the aviation industry.

The Gyeongsangbuk-do Aviation Defense Logistics Expo, to be held for three days from September 6 to 8 at Gumico, is expected to serve as a networking venue for attracting aviation companies.

So far, over 60 companies have completed their registration, with major participants including Embraer, ATR, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hanwha Systems, LIG Nex1, Korea Airports Corporation (SKT, Hanwha, etc.), UPS Korea, FedEx Korea, Alibaba, Jin Air, China Southern Airlines, and Toray Advanced Materials.

At this expo, visitors can experience various programs including company exhibition halls, export consultation meetings, aviation defense logistics seminars, career exploration concerts, and the Black Eagles airshow.