Aerospace as a driver of French–Dutch cooperation

On 1 and 2 October 2025, a high‑level economic mission took place in Toulouse, the heart of the European aerospace industry. More than 130 Dutch companies and knowledge institutions travelled to the French city, accompanied by King Willem‑Alexander and Queen Máxima, and by Ministers Aukje de Vries (Foreign Affairs) and Robert Tieman (Infrastructure and Water Management). The mission focused on aerospace, agrotech and floating offshore wind energy.

Six concrete agreements

The visit resulted in six signed cooperation agreements (MoUs and LoIs), including:

• A cooperation agreement between NLR and Airbus Helicopters on Individual Aircraft Tracking, a technology to better monitor helicopter lifespan and safety.
• A Letter of Intent between Airborne and Airbus Helicopters for the application of advanced composite technologies in helicopter blade production.
• Memoranda of Understanding between Fokker Services, GKN Fokker Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters, focusing on the design and production of components for the H225M.
• A Memorandum of Understanding between KLM, Airbus and TLD‑SAS for the further development of the Taxibot — an electric towing vehicle that brings aircraft to the runway without using their own engines, resulting in significant CO₂ reductions.
• A partnership between TU Delft and Airbus on quantum‑based simulation of composite materials for aircraft fuselages.
• An educational partnership between the French CMQ Aeronautics and Space and the Dutch College van Belanghebbenden Luchtvaartonderwijs (CvBLo), aimed at knowledge exchange in vocational education for a sector facing major shortages of skilled personnel.

 

Aftermovie Mission Toulouse

 

SAF innovation mission: from Toulouse to Paris

Cooperation in aviation did not end in Toulouse. In November 2025, an innovation mission to Paris took place, fully focused on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) — sustainable fuels that play a crucial role in decarbonising aviation. Dutch companies, knowledge institutions and public‑sector representatives explored opportunities for a joint approach together with French partners.

The next step is a joint call for action on SAF, developed within the Sustainable Transport and Energy working groups of the Innovation Pact.

The Dutch-French Innovation Pact Interested? Read more about The Dutch-French Innovation Pact