Bremen Celebrates 100 Years of Aircraft Construction – Tram Unveiled in New Design

One hundred years ago, aviation pioneers Henrich Focke and Georg Wulf launched the “Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau A.G.,” marking the beginning of a new era of aviation in the Hanseatic city. Today, the aeronautis and space industry is a cornerstone of Bremen’s economy. To celebrate, Bremen is marking this centennial year with a series of events and marketing initiatives. Kicking off the celebrations, a tram featuring the “100 Years of Aircraft Construction” design will be on the streets in mid-January 2024.

The tram’s exterior showcases the campaign logo, which will appear at various events throughout the year, both online and offline, in Bremen and beyond. Starting January 16, 2024, the tram will operate for a year, mainly on Line 6, which runs between the University and the airport within Bremen’s city limits. This project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation, Airbus Bremen, WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH, and eight other sponsors from Bremen’s industry and research sectors.

“From the early days of Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau A.G. to the present-day significance of companies like Airbus, AES, DSI, and E.I.S. Electronics, Bremen has demonstrated an impressive evolution in the aviation industry. As one of Germany’s leading aviation hubs, we are proud that these companies in Bremen are not only making history but also actively shaping the future of aviation, particularly in the area of green flying. This centennial year is an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and focus on the sustainable aviation of tomorrow,” said Kristina Vogt, Minister for Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, during the tram’s unveiling. “This year, we want to celebrate these successes and highlight the strengths of Bremen’s aviation sector far beyond the federal state’s borders, making it even more well-known. The tram carries this message to the public and becomes part of Bremen’s cityscape.”

The centennial year will feature various activities aimed at both the general public and industry professionals. In addition to the tram, Airbus is planning public lectures on various aviation topics and a family day for employees and their relatives.

“Over the past 100 years, what started with two pioneers in a small workshop has grown into a large community. Today, more than 4,500 people at Airbus’ Bremen site contribute valuable work to the future of aviation and aerospace. We are very proud of this and look forward to making this pioneering spirit tangible for everyone in Bremen through numerous activities,” said Joachim Betker, Airbus Bremen Site Manager.

The aviation industry will also celebrate the centennial on both national and international levels. For example, the Aviaspace Bremen e.V. network will host a New Year’s reception at the Bremen Representation in Berlin, with invited participants from politics and business. The campaign will also be prominently featured at trade shows such as Space Tech Expo USA, the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin, and the Hydrogen Technology Expo in Hamburg.

“Over 100 years of aircraft construction, Bremen’s pioneers have repeatedly proven how new ideas combined with entrepreneurial spirit lead to success. This is even more relevant today as the industry faces major challenges, including sustainability, digitalization, and a shortage of skilled workers. With this campaign, we are showcasing both the innovation and tradition of Bremen’s economy, drawing attention from both national and international professional audiences,” said Andreas Heyer, CEO of WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH.

More information about planned activities and background information can be found on the official website for the centennial year “100 Years of Aircraft Construction in Bremen”: www.bremen.de/wirtschaft/100-jahre-flugzeugbau

Additional Sponsors of the Tram:

• AES GmbH
• b.r.m. IT & Aerospace GmbH
• BIAS – Bremer Institut für angewandte Strahltechnik GmbH
• DSI Aerospace GmbH
• Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering – IWT
• Max Eickworth GmbH
• neusta aerospace GmbH
• TRIGO ADR Germany GmbH

Source: Senate Press Office