June 8, 2020
Supersonic aircraft manufacturer Aerion Supersonic is building a new campus in Melbourne, FL, bringing with it 675 jobs, news received warmly by local officials, especially as the pandemic continues to impact the state.
“We are incredibly honored and thrilled to bring this news to our community at a time when it’s needed the most,” said Greg Donovan, executive director at Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB). “We are proud to be the location of the future where Aerion will innovate, create and introduce new technologies and products to the aviation industry worldwide.”
The new facility, called Aerion Park, will integrate research, design, build and maintenance for the AS2 supersonic aircraft, which Aerion intends to market to both the general aviation and commercial airline segments.
Through a partnership with the state of Florida, the Orlando Melbourne International Airport and Brevard County, Aerion Park represents a $300 million investment in developing more than 60 acres of vacant airport property.
The facility is designed to implement the latest in green technology, including clean energy, recycled water usage, minimized emissions and a dedication to creating zero waste.
“Brevard County is home to the pioneers of space exploration, and now the pioneers of sustainable supersonic transportation,” Aerion said in a statement. “We are thrilled to help raise the profile of Florida’s Space Coast as the premier site for the most innovative aerospace work in the world. This partnership with the state of Florida and the Melbourne community will help build the next generation of high-speed transportation networks that revolutionize global mobility with a supersonic aircraft that won’t leave a carbon footprint behind.”
Aerion plans to break ground later this year, and will begin manufacturing the AS2 business jet in Melbourne in 2023. The company will create almost 700 highly skilled design and assembly jobs by 2026. Aerion hopes other aircraft parts suppliers and vendors are attracted to the area, bringing even more jobs and increasing the overall economic impact for the region.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.