The Podkarpackie Voivodeship is a key centre of the aerospace industry in Europe, alongside Toulouse area in France and Andalusia in Spain. Aviation traditions here date back to the 1930s, and today, the majority of Polish production related to this industry is located in this region. These facts provided a rationale for defining Aviation and Space Technology as the region’s smart specialisation.
The long history and experience of the aviation companies operating here, as well as the growing number of enterprises and the significant research and development (R&D) potential contribute to the region’s competitive advantage, at both the national and European level. Furthermore, owing to cluster-based cooperation and the comprehensive educational system providing well-trained human resources for the industry, aerospace industry could be specified as the region's first smart specialisation.
The history of aviation-related production in the Subcarpathian region goes back to the Central Industrial District which was initiated in the 1930s. This is when the Engine Factory in Rzeszów and State Aviation Works in Mielec were built. The former company for many years was known as WSK PZL-Rzeszów and then was transformed into Pratt & Whitney Rzeszów S.A.; it is a world-class manufacturer of engines for helicopters as well as civil and military aircraft. On the other hand, PZL Mielec, which is part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, manufactures, e.g., the S-70 Black Hawk helicopter and the M28 Skytruck. Jointly with other large manufacturers in the Podkarpackie region, such as Safran Transmission Systems Poland, MTU Aero Engines Polska and MB Aerospace, these companies constitute the backbone of the region's aviation industry ecosystem. It also comprises equally important smaller plants and even family-owned businesses producing and supplying components for major global aerospace companies. Aerospace companies in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship rank among the largest exporters in the region, and the major products sold abroad by them include turbojet and turboprop engines.
The companies operating in the area of the Smart Specialisation Aeronautics and Space Technology are mainly located in the central, northern and western parts of the voivodeship. Their long-standing cooperation is reflected by the fact that a few business clusters exist in this area. By working together the aviation companies may enter new markets and create links between suppliers.
There are two clusters of international significance. The first one, Association of Aviation Industry Enterprises Aviation Valley in Rzeszów was established in 2003. The cluster has around 200 members, including companies, universities, research centres and two Regional Development Agencies. It has had the status of a National Key Cluster for years, which means that its operation is important for the country's economy; it is also a competitive player on the international arena. By cooperating with the local universities and vocational schools, it seeks to ensure well-qualified human resources for its members.
A cluster with a slightly smaller range of operation, but also playing an important role is the Subcarpathian Cooperative Connection - Light and Ultralight Aviation Cluster. It associates almost 40 members, including companies, research entities, and business environment institutions, and it cooperates with clusters from abroad. Recent years have brought rapid advancement in the unmanned aircraft sector in the Podkarpackie. Operating since 2015, the Unmanned Systems Cluster brings together entities manufacturing drones, or providing drone services as well as training companies. Drones are used for both civil and military purposes and the catalogue of their applications is growing steadily. Consequently, the potential of this industry is increasingly important from the viewpoint of the region’s economic growth. The same is true about the second area of the smart specialization, i.e. space technology. One of the two regional offices of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) is located in Rzeszów. This is a governmental entity which aims to provide support to Polish businesses and public institutions in gaining access to satellite infrastructure; it also aims to foster the development of the space industry and provide assistance to enterprises in obtaining funds from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Another important type of operation, an incubator providing support to startups exploring space technologies has been launched in the Podkarpackie region in the frames of the ESA BIC Poland project. Located in the Aeropolis Science and Technology Park in Jasionka, it is a member of a network of such facilities established in Europe using national subsidies and funding from the European Space Agency. Some companies from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship have already started manufacturing components for space industry, e.g. Ultratech sp. z o.o. from Sędziszów Małopolski produces parts for the ARIANE 5 launch vehicle.
In November 2021, the Podkarpackie Space Technology Cluster was established by 20 partners. These include the state-owned company Exatel, the companies Scanway, Astri Polska, Astronika, as well as the Space Research Centre, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Łukasiewicz Research Network, the Podkarpackie Innovation Centre, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (Polish Armament Group), Rzeszów University of Technology, and Rzeszów Regional Development Agency. This initiative mainly focuses on proposals for Polish contribution into space and satellite technologies.
More and more aviation companies choose to operate in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship not only due to the large number of the related enterprises located here, but also because of the locally available human resources as well as the opportunity to cooperate with the regional universities. Companies, especially those associated in the Aviation Valley cluster, are involved in designing special vocational training programs in the local schools and, this way contribute to the changes in the teaching curricula tailored to the needs of the industry. Educational programs for specialists needed by the aviation industry are on offer at the Rzeszów University of Technology and the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics at the Rzeszów University of Technology provides education e.g. in aviation and aeronautics, with specializations in pilotage and avionics. The university has excellent technical resources and facilities enabling research in aeronautics, e.g. the Research Laboratory for Aerospace Materials. The Rzeszów University of Technology has launched and coordinates the operations of the AERONET Centre for Advanced Technology, focusing on research in and commercialisation of new technologies for the aerospace industry. Apart from that, the companies associated in aerospace clusters in their R&D projects cooperate with the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aeronautics.
Aerospace industry is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced sectors of economy. Furthermore, solutions designed for these industries are more and more frequently implemented in other areas. Today aerospace companies are facing new challenges and opportunities. Due to this they work with universities on advanced materials and innovative technologies. 3D printing, for example, is increasingly applied in this area, as a result of which it is possible to reduce the weight of aircraft and space vehicles.
The targets set by the European Union in the Green Deal will significantly impact the development of this sector. These include reducing the harmful effects of the aviation industry and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 relative to 1990 levels. Moreover, the resources of natural fossil fuels are dwindling, so industry and science are working on completely new technologies. One opportunity could be the use of hydrogen in aircraft engines, which requires new aircraft designs and technologies.
The Podkarpackie region is also successively investing in the infrastructure to support the aviation industry, these operations include expansion of the Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport. Owing to EU funding, a new passenger terminal was built for travellers. The local government funded the construction of a new railway line leading from Rzeszów to the airport. Further investments are planned, including the construction of the second part of the taxiway parallel to the runway, as well as the reconstruction of the runway. LOT Aircraft Maintenance Services Company is building one of the largest and most advanced aircraft maintenance facilities in Europe in Jasionka.