Aerospace Industries Association of Canada

What Aerospace Industries Association of Canada does

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) is a private, non-profit national industry association headquartered in Ottawa that serves as the consolidated voice of Canada's aerospace sector. Its membership spans the full aerospace value chain, encompassing original equipment manufacturers (Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE, De Havilland), systems integrators and parts manufacturers (Héroux-Devtek, Magellan Aerospace, MHI Canada Aerospace, Leonardo), global primes with Canadian operations (Airbus, Boeing Canada, Lockheed Martin Canada, L3Harris, Thales, Saab, GE Aerospace, Bell Textron), small and medium enterprises, space-sector companies, and provincial aerospace associations (Aéro Montréal, ACADA, Manitoba Aerospace, Ontario Aerospace Council, AIAC Pacific). AIAC members collectively represent the seventh-largest aerospace industry in the world, contributing approximately $34B in GDP, employing nearly 225,000 Canadians, generating 70% export-linked manufacturing revenues, and investing over $1.2B in R&D in 2024.

AIAC's core products are member services and recurring event programs rather than technology platforms. Its flagship offerings include the Canadian Aerospace Summit (Ottawa, October 2026), Aerospace Defence and Security Expo/ADSE (Abbotsford BC, August 2026), Aerospace on the Hill (Parliament Hill, March 2026), and Horizons of Opportunities ministerial luncheons. Supporting offerings include the annual Guide to Canada's Aerospace Industry publication, the Member Directory, the Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship, the Member Get a Member referral program, and multi-stakeholder committees covering Civil Aviation, Technology & Innovation, Public Procurement & Defence, Space, Small Business, Market Access, and Labour Market, plus the recently launched Chemical Substances Working Group. AIAC does not develop proprietary technology; its digital stack consists of the public aiac.ca site, the portal.aiac.ca member portal, and email/newsletter communications, with stated PIPEDA and GDPR-aligned privacy practices.

AIAC monetizes through three primary streams: annual membership dues from OEMs, SMEs, and provincial associations on a recurring annual cadence; event registration fees and multi-tier corporate sponsorship (Platinum, Gold, Bronze, Supporter); and advertising in the annual Guide to Canada's Aerospace Industry. Distribution is delivered directly via the member portal, in-person at events, and through regional offices including AIAC Pacific in Vancouver, with partnerships extending reach through provincial associations across Canada. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors representing member companies, with no parent company, external investors, or equity funding.

Name

Aerospace Industries Association of Canada

Legal name

Aerospace Industries Association of Canada

Website

https://aiac.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) is a non-profit national industry association headquartered in Ottawa that advocates for Canada's aerospace sector on behalf of OEMs, SMEs, provincial aerospace associations, and space companies, delivering policy advocacy, flagship industry events (Canadian Aerospace Summit, ADSE, Aerospace on the Hill), and member services such as committees, publications, and scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace & Defense (FSABACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Aerospace industry association
• Industry advocacy services
• Aerospace events
• Industry publications
• Trade association membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AIAC generates revenue through annual membership fees from aerospace companies across Canada, ranging from OEMs to SMEs. Members receive access to advocacy, networking, industry resources, and events.
2. Event Registration and Sponsorship: AIAC organizes and hosts major industry events including the Canadian Aerospace Summit, ADSE, and Aerospace on the Hill. Revenue comes from attendee registration fees and corporate sponsorships at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Bronze, Supporter).
3. Guide to Canada's Aerospace Industry: The association publishes an annual guide profiling member companies and industry statistics. Revenue generated through advertising space sold to member and non-member companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aerospace Industries Association of Canada is a non-profit industry association that represents and advocates for Canada's aerospace sector. Its core offering includes policy advocacy with federal government departments (National Defence, Transport Canada, ISED, Canadian Space Agency), industry events (Canadian Aerospace Summit, Aerospace Defence and Security Expo, Aerospace on the Hill), the annual Guide to Canada's Aerospace Industry publication, member services (committee participation, member directory, networking), and workforce development programs such as the Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship.

Product overview

AIAC operates as a not-for-profit industry association offering a portfolio of event programs, publications, and membership services rather than a unified product platform. Its core programs include the Aerospace Defence and Security Expo (ADSE), Canadian Aerospace Summit, Aerospace on the Hill, and Horizons of Opportunities events, which serve as premier networking and advocacy platforms for Canada's aerospace industry. Supporting offerings include the annual Guide to Canada's Aerospace Industry publication, the Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship for student workforce development, and the Member Get a Member referral program. AIAC membership provides access to these programs along with a member directory, committee participation (Civil Aviation, Technology and Innovation, Public Procurement and Defence, Space, Small Business, Market Access, Labour Market), and policy advocacy services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIAC Pacific: BC regional office of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, working in partnership with industry and world class training institutions to develop and promote aerospace business in BC.

Products and services

• Aerospace Defence and Security Expo (ADSE)
• Canadian Aerospace Summit
• Aerospace on the Hill
• Horizons of Opportunities - Canada Delivers
• Guide to Canada's Aerospace Industry
• Member Get a Member Program
• AIAC Member Directory
• Dave Caddey Memorial Scholarship

Quantifiable outcome

• Defence Industrial Strategy commitment of $81.8B over five years with goal to increase domestic procurement from 43% to 70% (industry advocacy impact)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Aéro MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAéro Montréal is Québec's aerospace cluster and strategic think tank uniting industry leaders, educational institutions, research centres, and associations. AIAC maintains partnership for coordinated advocacy and industry development across Canada's aerospace sector.
• AIAC PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAC Pacific is the BC regional office of AIAC, working in partnership with industry and training institutions to develop and promote aerospace business in British Columbia. The office acts as advocate for the BC industry and links the region to national programs and markets.
• Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association (ACADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACADA leads, connects, and champions a diverse membership in Atlantic Canada's world-leading aerospace and defence region. With 175+ members, ACADA supports industry innovation and provides custom services in response to market needs.
• Manitoba AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManitoba Aerospace is an industry-led sector council connecting local aerospace and defence industries to national and international markets. The association develops world-class industry and workforce through partnerships with educational institutions.
• Ontario Aerospace CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC) represents approximately 200 member companies, over 70% of Ontario aerospace industry employment. OAC fosters relationships between industry, academia, researchers, governments and associations.
• Canadian Council for Aviation & AerospacesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCAA is dedicated to ensuring the Canadian aviation and aerospace industry has enough workers with the right skills. CCAA provides Labour Market Information (LMI) and supports workforce development initiatives including skills development and industry demographics.
• Government of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAC works closely with federal government departments including National Defence, Transport Canada, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada, and the Canadian Space Agency on defence procurement, industrial strategy, and aerospace policy.
• TWI Group Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTWI Group is the premier specialist in domestic and international trade show logistics and exhibition freight forwarding. TWI is the official exhibitor's transit company for AIAC events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC): Ontario's aerospace industry association representing ~200 member companies and over 70% of Ontario aerospace employment. OAC is an AIAC partner and a regional peer with overlapping industry-association functions scoped to Ontario.
• Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association (ACADA): Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence industry association with 175+ members. ACADA is both an AIAC partner and a regional peer, operating with a similar industry-association model but scoped to the Atlantic provinces.

Others

• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME): Canada's largest industry association for manufacturers and exporters across all sectors. CME is an adjacent ecosystem peer that overlaps with AIAC on broader manufacturing and export policy advocacy but is not aerospace-specific.

Direct peers

• BDLI (Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie): German Aerospace Industries Association. BDLI is the German counterpart to AIAC, representing German aerospace and defence manufacturers through advocacy, networking events, and policy engagement with the federal government and EU institutions.
• Aerospace, Defence and Security (ADS) Group UK: UK trade association representing the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors. ADS is a direct international peer to AIAC, providing advocacy, events, market intelligence, and policy engagement to UK aerospace and defence members.
• Aerospace Industries Association (AIA): The US national aerospace trade association. AIA is the closest direct peer to AIAC — both are national industry associations advocating for aerospace and defence manufacturers, hosting flagship summits, and engaging government on defence procurement and industrial policy.
• Aéro Montréal: Québec's aerospace cluster and AIAC's strategic partner. Aéro Montréal is both a peer (industry cluster with similar advocacy and networking functions) and a partner to AIAC, but competes in serving Quebec-based members.
• GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales): French aerospace and defence industry association. GIFAS serves the same function as AIAC for France — national advocacy, statistics publication, and flagship events like the Paris Air Show — and represents a parallel model of a country-level aerospace trade body.

Broad incumbents

• ASD (Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe): European-level aerospace and defence association representing 16+ national associations including GIFAS, BDLI, and ADS. ASD sits one level above AIAC's peers and provides a continental aggregation model that AIAC plays at the national level.

Emerging players

• Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA): Canadian non-profit focused on aviation and aerospace workforce development and labour market information. CCAA is a secondary AIAC partner that operates in an adjacent niche (workforce/skills) and could partially overlap with AIAC's labour market committee work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aiac-news

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aerospace Industries Association of Canada