The German aerospace industry's workforce decreased by 1.3% last year, mainly due to job losses in the space sector.
In total, the industry employed 69,300 people in 2004, 60% working in civil aviation. Employment in civil aviation rose last year by around 2,000, largely driven by the success of Airbus.
However, the military aviation and space sectors both experienced job losses last year, with the space sector's employee total falling by 12.1%.
Rainer Hertrich, president of the German Aerospace Industries Association, says: "The aerospace industry is on the whole satisfactory. Indeed, we are one of the few sectors to enjoy sustainable growth."
Source: Flight International