The Mexican government has identified aerospace as a priority sector for development. Its national plan aims to place the country among the world's top 10 aerospace sector providers by 2020, with more than USD 12 billion in annual exports and a 14-per cent average annual growth rate. The plan envisions the industry as covering the complete aerospace life cycle, including design and engineering, component manufacturing and assembly, aircraft maintenance, and the recycling or refurbishment of aircraft that have reached the end of their service lives. Aviation exports have already been rising quickly, having doubled between 2009 and 2012 to reach USD 5.4 billion.

Many aerospace firms have established their secondary-components supply chains in Mexico because of its low operating costs, high levels of education, well-developed aerospace infrastructure and hospitable regulatory framework. As a result, as of 2012, there were 270 aerospace companies and support businesses in the country, employing more than 30,000 people.

One example of these is Canada's Bombardier, which manufactures key components for its Global Express, CRJ and other aircraft at the enormous Queretaro Aerospace Park. Other major aerospace companies in the country as of 2103 were Beechcraft, Cessna, Embraer, Honeywell, Safran, UTC Aerospace, Turbopartes, Cormer Aerospace, Eurocopter, Turbo Propulsores and Aeronova.

According to data from ProMéxico, much of the country's aerospace industry is concentrated in four states:

• Chihuahua attracts strategic projects from leading companies in high-technology, dual- and restricted-use goods, particularly precision-machined products.

• Sonora's strategy is based on the development of aerospace supply chains and innovation, mainly in turbine manufacturing and in meeting specialized needs for the industry.

• Querétaro intends to specialize in turbine design, manufacturing, assembly and maintenance, together with repair and overhaul of complex fuselage parts, turbines and landing gear. Also present in Querétaro is the Aerospace Research and Innovation Network, which helps develop the state's research, technological development and innovation capabilities.

• Baja California focuses on outsourcing services for the aerospace and defence industry. It also intends to develop fuselage systems and power plants, which will make it an important manufacturing supplier with integrated value chains.

Other regions with aerospace clusters of varying significance include Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Coahuila and San Luis Potosí.