Interview with Safran’s Valérie Guénon

Could you briefly describe your responsibilities at Safran and what roles you have had within ASD?

I have been with Safran for 36 years. I have been working with ASD since its creation in 2004, and before that with its predecessor organisation AECMA, in 2002.

The roles which led me to work closely with ASD were, first, as head of Safran Group’s European research programmes in the 2000s, then as Safran Group’s VP R&T Institutional Relations in the 2010s and, then today as Head of the Products Environment Policies and Strategy for Safran Aircraft Engines.

In the first role, I participated in the working group which established the European industry’s coordinated position on R&T (it was called IMG4 – Industry Management Group representing the four aeronautics sectors: airframes, engines, equipment and ATM).I chaired it twice. In the second role, I represented Safran in the R&T Commission and in the task force for Horizon 2020. In the third role, I am Vice-Chair of ASD’s Environment Commission.

What has been the main motivation for you to be involved in ASD working groups?

As European Research Programmes Manager, participating to IMG4 was at the core of my activity. Well before the European Commission encouraged the establishment of Strategic Research Agendas, a group of ASD members took a forward look at aeronautics research and coordinated positions to prepare research projects. In 2000, the European Commission decided to launch ACARE, the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe, to define the European aviation research agenda. They chose our sector to set a standard for other sectors because aeronautics already had a long-term and integrated view of their research needs. Coordination was the condition and driver of our success. This then led to the creation of Clean Sky and SESAR. Environment matters have gained a critical importance in the last five years. The ASD Environment Commission has been very busy with the Green Deal and Fit for 55 legislative package.

ICAO also has increased its environment and climate focus. In this United Nations organisation, ICCAIA (International Organization for Aerospace Industry Associations) voices the positions of the global manufacturing industry.

Team work and contribution of all ASD members is necessary to address so many topics. The role of ASD and of its Environment Manager is key: to alert, coordinate, open doors for us to speak to decision makers, institutions and other stakeholders of the sector.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your involvement with ASD working bodies?

In the early 2000s, when the European Commission decided to create an aeronautics joint technology initiative, it turned to ASD’s IMG4. We worked closely for four years to prepare the largest ever European aviation research project and managing structure, which was called Clean Sky. This preparation made me travel to Brussels two or three times a week. All the large ASD industry worked intensely to establish the technical programme, but also the legal, financial and organisation settings. We also helped the European Commission to convince the Member States and Parliament representatives. I had the opportunity to give presentations to Member States’ representatives and to MEPs in Strasbourg and I learned a lot about the European decision-making processes. 

Looking back over your time and work with ASD, what do you consider the most significant milestone or success in the aeronautics sector in recent years?

The last twenty years were market by a steep growth of air traffic. The manufacturing supply chain successfully responded to the demand with a new generation of aircraft with significantly improved energy efficiency, reduced pollution emissions and much quieter.

Clean Sky, which was created in 2008, was followed by Clean Sky 2 and now Clean Aviation, still running. It delivered a number of large demonstrations, such as the large fixed wing aircraft, the open rotor first engine test, the turboshaft demonstrator which led then to the Arrano engine, electrical wing, electrical network demonstrators and many others to prepare the next generation of aircraft, with further improvement of their environmental impact. SESAR was created at the same time as Clean Sky. ASD was the common meeting place to share information and lessons learnt in creating Clean Sky and SESAR.

In 2021, we delivered the Destination 2050 roadmap, which has mobilised one more level of coordination, since the roadmap was co-signed by ASD and the other European associations (ACI Europe, A4E, ERA, CANSO). We also intensely worked during the Covid crisis. We are now updating this roadmap for early 2025. An agreed and convincing plan for decarbonising our sector is a condition for our business to continue and a fair contribution to the necessary global efforts to tackle climate change.

What role does ASD play in and for the European aerospace, security and defence industry landscape, and how has it evolved over time?

In a Union that is made of 27 members states, all four ASD sectors are instrumental to the integration and to the sovereignty of the EU.

Twenty years ago, the soaring European aeronautics sector was a key asset to European competitiveness and geographical integration. ASD successfully promoted our manufacturing industry. Now, aviation is under criticism for its climate impact, and voices call for more taxation or forcing traffic de-growth. But such voices are mostly heard in Europe rather than in the rest of the world, and not at all in emerging countries, who want their air traffic to develop. Taking our climate responsibility should not be through sacrificing European aviation to the benefit of the rest of world.

The rise of terrorism and more recently the wars surrounding Europe underlined the importance of a solid European defence base. Space is also a matter of sovereignty.

ASD has a role to play in addressing all these challenges. It is where we establish common roadmaps, policy views, messages for the policymakers, and also learn from each other in the working groups.