Georgia’s aerospace sector is generating a $57.5 billion economic impact and hanging on to its title as the state’s top export, fueled by $12.6 billion in civilian aircraft and parts shipments in 2024. The cluster now includes more than 800 companies across the state and keeps drawing fresh investment, including a new North American headquarters in Roswell for turbojet maker PBS Aerospace.
Aerospace drives exports and growth
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s 2024 International Trade Report, civilian aircraft and ancillary parts ranked as the state’s No. 1 export at $12.6 billion, while the broader aerospace cluster generated a $57.5 billion economic impact. The Georgia Department of Economic Development notes that those aerospace gains helped push Georgia to $53.1 billion in total exports last year, reinforcing the sector as a key pillar of the state’s growth strategy.
Cluster reaches across the state
State data and local reporting show aerospace has climbed to become Georgia’s second-largest manufacturing industry, supporting more than 800 companies spread across metro Atlanta, the coast and central Georgia. As FOX 5 Atlanta reported, a mix of prime contractors, suppliers and service firms is driving hiring sprees and new facilities across the region.
Roswell becomes a test bed for jet engines
European engine maker PBS Aerospace opened its North American headquarters in Roswell in 2025, bringing engine test cells and production for small turbojets used in unmanned systems and defense programs to north Fulton. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Roswell campus at 1350 Northmeadow Parkway is configured for testing and early production as the company ramps up, and the project was expected to add roughly 95 jobs as operations scale. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also outlined PBS Aerospace’s plans to grow its U.S. manufacturing footprint from the site.
Universities and suppliers feeding the pipeline
Georgia’s education pipeline, led by the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech along with a network of technical colleges and high school programs, remains a major draw for manufacturers and research partners. Georgia.org notes that major firms such as Gulfstream and Delta continue to expand their operations in the state, which in turn keeps demand high for precision machining, composites and avionics work.
What to watch next
State leaders are putting aerospace in the spotlight this month as the Georgia Aerospace and Defense Alliance brings demonstrations to the Capitol to showcase the cluster and its economic footprint. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the alliance rolled an F-35 simulator into the rotunda for Aerospace and Defense Day, a sign that state officials are leaning hard into the sector as they seek more federal contracts and workforce support.
