Aerospace Industries Association

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), founded in 1919 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the United States' premier trade association representing the aerospace, defense, and aviation manufacturing sector — a $900+ billion industry employing over 2.1 million American workers — advocating before Congress, the White House, executive agencies, and international forums on policies affecting its 300+ member companies spanning commercial aviation, national defense, space launch, satellite manufacturing, and unmanned systems.

AIA's space policy advocacy covers the full range of federal issues affecting the commercial space sector: NASA authorization and appropriations (ISS continuation, Artemis commercial crew/cargo contracts, lunar surface access procurement), FCC spectrum licensing reforms for commercial satellite constellations, export control policy (ITAR/EAR regulations affecting satellite component sales and technology transfers), FAA launch licensing streamlining, and US government space acquisition reform toward commercial services. AIA's position as the voice of both traditional primes (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon) and the broader supply chain gives it credibility in congressional defense committees and civilian space policy debates.

AIA's member universe includes virtually every significant US aerospace company: launch vehicle manufacturers, satellite prime contractors, component suppliers, software developers, and services companies. Major member categories include commercial aircraft manufacturers (Boeing), defense aerospace primes, commercial space companies (SpaceX, RocketLab, Aerojet Rocketdyne), and the extensive supply chain supporting these companies. This breadth allows AIA to present industry consensus positions rather than individual company lobbying on foundational policies.

AIA publishes influential annual data reports — the Aerospace Industries Association Aerospace and Defense Overview — tracking industry revenue, employment, trade balance, and R&D investment trends that are widely cited in Congressional testimony, investment research, and economic impact studies. The association's councils and working groups also develop technical standards and best practices for manufacturing, cybersecurity, and supply chain management.