Aerion Supersonic has selected Orlando Melbourne International airport for its worldwide headquarters and integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance of the company's supersonic aircraft. Aerion Park will house the manufacturing of the company's new AS2 supersonic business jet with plans to create at least 675 new jobs by 2026 as part of a multi-year $300 million investment. The development will take place on more than 60 acres of vacant airport property located at the northwest corner of MLB.

“We are incredibly honoured and thrilled to bring this news to our community at a time when it's needed the most,” says Greg Donovan, executive director at Orlando Melbourne International. “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 Space Coast has become a hub for the aviation and aerospace industry, and my administration continues to make it a priority to expand this high-wage and important business sector,” adds Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are thrilled that Aerion has selected Melbourne for its new global headquarters and will create 675 new jobs here in Florida.”

Aerion is prepared to reshape the general aviation industry with the AS2, the first privately built supersonic commercial aircraft ever, which is designed to reach speeds of Mach 1.4 (over 1,000 mph) with the ability to accept 100% biofuels.

“We are building the next generation of high-speed transportation networks that will revolutionise global mobility without leaving a carbon footprint on our world,” states Tom Vice, Aerion Supersonic chairman, president and CEO. “Our AS2 business jet, the world's first privately built supersonic aircraft, is the first stage in that exciting endeavour. Having evaluated a number of potential locations for our new home, we are excited to partner with Florida and the Melbourne community to create a sustainable supersonic future.”

The decision to launch the assembly of the AS2 at MLB, located in the heart of Florida's Space Coast, will allow Aerion to tap into the highly-skilled local workforce as well as attract some of the best aerospace talents in the world to Melbourne, Florida.

“The impact Aerion will have on our community and the state will be truly extraordinary,” explains MLB director of marketing and business development Mark Busalacchi. “In addition to the major workforce investment Aerion plans to make at the airport, there will also be hundreds of indirect jobs that will have a lasting effect in fuelling our local economy.”

Airport officials have worked to recruit Aerion to Florida since December 2018 with collaboration between several economic partners including the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Enterprise Florida, Inc., Space Florida and City of Melbourne.

“Brevard County is home to the pioneers of space exploration and now the pioneers of sustainable supersonic transportation,” says Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast president and CEO Lynda Weatherman. “Aerion Park raises the profile of the Space Coast as the premier site for the most innovative aerospace companies in the world and is an example of what can be accomplished, even in the most challenging times, when the EDC and its state and local partners work together.”

MLB's airfield has been completely revived over the last few years with three rehabilitated runways and a new air traffic control tower. Additional taxiway and roadway improvements are on the way to accommodate Aerion's operational plans thanks to funding support from Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Aerion will break ground on the new campus later this year ahead of manufacturing of the AS2 business jet commencing in 2023. In addition to the 675 new jobs Aerion will bring to the state, Aerion Park is expected to attract key aerospace suppliers within the supersonic technology ecosystem to bring business to Florida, creating additional roles for scientists, designers, engineers and aircraft builders.