We interviewed Eduardo Carrillo de Albornoz, Managing Director of Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T) Europe and Brazil.
1. Boeing has been present in Spain for over 90 years. How has the company evolved in the country, and how has Boeing contributed to the development of commercial and defense aviation in Spain?
Boeing has maintained a presence in Spain for nearly a century, supporting the needs of commercial airline customers, fostering long-term partnerships within the Spanish aerospace sector, and serving as a provider of military aircraft, helicopters, and weapons systems for the Spanish Armed Forces.
Some key milestones include the 1944 delivery of three DC-3 aircraft to Iberia Airlines. Throughout the 20th century, Iberia continued incorporating Boeing’s latest aircraft into its fleet. Today, Air Europa operates a fleet of more than 50 Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft. The airline is actively expanding its fleet and route network, focusing on longhaul destinations across the Americas as well as new routes in Africa and Asia. As part of this strategy, Air Europa is modernizing its fleet by integrating new Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX aircraft, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce operating costs sustainably.
In the defense sector, Spain received the first of 36 F-4C Phantom II fighters in February 1971. Later, in 1985, the Spanish Air Force acquired 72 EF-18 Hornets. Today, the Spanish Navy operates the ScanEagle UAV system, and the CH-47F Chinook serves as the primary heavy-lift helicopter for the Spanish Army’s Airmobile Forces.
In 2002, Boeing established Boeing Research & Technology-Europe (BR&T-E) in Madrid. A major milestone came in 2008 with the maiden flight of a fuel cell-powered demonstrator aircraft. The two-seat Boeing Dimona demonstrator completed three successful flights in Spain, marking the first manned flight in aviation history powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell.
2. Madrid is home to one of Boeing’s research centers, Boeing Research &
Technology–Europe. When and why did the company choose the Madrid Region for this facility?
Our research center, Boeing Research & Technology–Europe, was established in Madrid in 2002. It was Boeing’s first R&D center outside the United States and was created with the goal of serving as a technology integrator—collaborating with
universities, research institutions, airlines, and industry partners across Europe. The Madrid center is part of Boeing Global Technology and is now one of 12 R&D centers worldwide. Boeing Global Technology’s mission is to lead the aerospace industry’s transformation through cutting-edge innovation, advanced technology, and sustainable solutions. We strive to remain at the forefront of aerospace research, development, and manufacturing—driving progress and shaping the future of aviation and space exploration.
3. What role does the Madrid center play in Boeing’s global innovation strategy?
Our organization’s vision is built on four strategic pillars: Innovation and Advancement, Collaboration and Partnerships, and Sustainable and Responsible Solutions. From our European locations—specifically Madrid, Munich, Sheffield, and Glasgow—we work closely with partners across the continent to drive research and technology development. Our mission is to foster innovation, excellence, and competitiveness within the European research and development ecosystem.
4. What are the main research and development areas led from Madrid, and how does the center collaborate with universities, tech centers, or local institutions?
Our work in Madrid focuses on model-based engineering, data-enabled airline solutions and services, and the integration of autonomous systems into shared airspace. We have established strong partnerships with local universities such as Universidad Carlos III and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, as well as national institutions like Universidad de Vigo, Universidad de Sevilla, and Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. We also collaborate with regional tech centers and local companies.
One current example is the ASCEND project. In March 2025, Boeing partnered with Anzen Engineering, Clue Technologies, and DLTCode to enhance the design and verification of aerospace systems through digital transformation across the entire
lifecycle. ASCEND applies Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Model-Based Safety Assessment (MBSA), and digital engineering to improve prevention, safety, and efficiency in aircraft development. The Community of Madrid is co-financing over 50% of the 2024 ASCEND Consortium through public-private R&D cooperation grants and the EU’s ERDF operational program. The project is valued at nearly €5 million.
5. How many people work at the Boeing Research & Technology–Europe center in Madrid, and what types of profiles do they have?
What began as a team of a dozen employees in Madrid has grown into a staff of over 100 professionals located at our headquarters near Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport, as well as integrated offices in the UK and Germany. Our team is composed primarily of highly skilled engineers and scientists recruited from across Europe.
6. What competitive advantages does Madrid offer in terms of talent, infrastructure, and industrial ecosystem for a company like Boeing?
Madrid offers a strong pipeline of engineering talent and exceptional academic training. Many of our employees from across Europe have chosen Madrid as a dynamic and attractive place to live and work. The city is home to leading Spanish and European universities in aeronautics and industrial engineering, such as Universidad Politécnica and Universidad Carlos III.
Madrid also boasts a well-established industrial network with key aerospace players such as ITP Aero, GMV, SENER, AERNOVA, and ACITURRI, along with renowned tech centers like FIDAMC. The region accounts for 40% of Spain’s total aerospace
employment, making it a strategic hub for the sector.
7. In general terms, and within the BR&T-Europe framework, what potential does Boeing see in the Madrid Region for future investment or strategic projects?
We see strong potential in the region’s advanced materials technologies, including thermoplastics and composites. There is significant momentum around advanced air mobility, and Madrid is emerging as a hub for digitalization and simulation capabilities, supported by a growing ecosystem of startups and established firms specializing in systems modeling, artificial intelligence, big data, and more.
8. In addition to its commercial aviation, defense, and R&D operations, Boeing also supports educational and social projects. How important is corporate social responsibility for the company in Spain, and what initiatives has Boeing recently supported in the Madrid Region?
Boeing is committed to supporting educational initiatives throughout Spain, particularly those focused on local communities. In Madrid, we’ve maintained a longstanding partnership—over 15 years—with the NGO Cooperación Internacional through the program “Volando Juntos.” This socio-educational initiative provides academic support to vulnerable children to help improve their performance in school. Today, the program also supports families through parenting workshops, helping them engage more actively in their children’s education. The program is currently active in Madrid’s Tetuán neighborhood.
In addition, Boeing supports STEM-focused educational workshops organized by the Infante de Orleans Foundation. These workshops target secondary school students and are held at the Foundation’s aviation museum in southern Madrid. Launched in 2017, this initiative is closely tied to Boeing’s broader presence and engagement in Spain.