Celebrating 25th anniversary of Avio Aero in Bielsko-Biała

The history of Avio Aero is marked by many significant milestones, and among the most remarkable is undoubtedly its long-standing presence in Poland. Over the past 25 years, Avio Aero has built more than just an engineering office or operations there - it has developed a strong industrial footprint, fostered local talent, and contributed to the growth of the aerospace sector in the country

Twenty-five years ago, in April 2001, a small group of engineers began working in a newly opened office in Bielsko-Biała. Few could have predicted that this modest beginning would grow into one of the key aerospace engineering and manufacturing sites within Avio Aero and GE Aerospace. At the time, operating as Fiat Avio Polska, the company was one of the first foreign investments in Poland’s aerospace sector, built on confidence in the talent and potential of Polish engineering.

From the very beginning, the company’s greatest strength was already its people. Their commitment, ambition, and teamwork shaped Avio Polska’s (Avio Aero’s legal entity in Poland) culture and laid the foundation for its long-term growth. Many of those who helped build the company in its early years are still part of the organization today.

The site expanded quickly. In 2003, manufacturing operations began in Bielsko-Biała with the production of turbine blades for aircraft engines. Over time, the Polish site became involved in major aerospace programs such as CFM56, T700, PW308, GE90, GEnX, LEAP, and GE9X, delivering components used in commercial, military, and business aviation worldwide.

Major milestones came with the GEnx, LEAP and GE9X programs, through which Avio Aero broadened the Bielsko site  contribution across the full value chain, from engineering and design to industrialization and serial production. This marked an important step in the site’s technological development and further reinforced its position as a key competence center within the company.

Today, nearly 600 employees in Bielsko-Biała, representing all functions, work together to support the site’s performance, capabilities and long-term growth. As part of this broader contribution, our engineering teams are engaged in some of the most advanced aerospace initiatives, including RISE, AMBER, RACER or Catalyst, helping shape the next generation of propulsion and aviation technologies.

Among the many programs supported by the site, GE9X stands out as one of the most significant. Bielsko-Biała plays an important role in supporting production of this advanced high-thrust turbofan engine, which is expected to enter service on the Boeing 777X in 2027. With its strong technical know-how and well-established capabilities, the site continues to stand out within Avio Aero for its contribution to next-generation propulsion technologies in both civil and military aviation. Thanks to its expertise in the design and production of key parts and components, Bielsko-Biała is also well positioned to support advanced low-pressure turbine architectures and future engine concepts focused on greater efficiency.

Looking ahead, the site is continuing its evolution from a manufacturing-focused operation into a higher-value industrial center, with growing involvement in industrialization, engineering support, and new product introduction activities. This strategic role is also reflected in a significant investment in the plant as part of GE Aerospace’s broader investment in manufacturing in Europe: around 8 million euros will be invested this year to expand advanced manufacturing capabilities in Bielsko in support of both commercial and defense programs. This marks another important step in the site’s long journey of growth and development and will further strengthen its engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the years ahead.

After 25 years, one thing remains constant: the true strength of Avio Polska lies in its people. Their knowledge, commitment and ambition have turned a small office into a trusted partner in the global aerospace industry.