Gemma Ortíz de Barrón – Director for Institutional Relations Aernnova Group
5 November 2025
We recall one of Aernnova’s first milestones, the delivery of the first ERJ-145 wing sections. It was February 10, 1995, in Hangar A in Miñano, attended by the then Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government), Jose Antonio Ardanza, and senior executives from Embraer and Gamesa Aeronáutica. It was a very special day, full of emotion, because after three years of hard work and effort, we saw with our own eyes the “first product” of what is now Aernnova.
For those of you feeling nostalgic, enjoy this selection of photos from that day with some comments from colleagues who are still with the company.
Note: With the photos (note that they are analog), you can play several games: Who’s Who, Spot the 7 Differences, or Mister Potato adding hair, 90s clothing… 😊
Susana Molina. She prepared the export documentation for the wing.
How long ago was that wonderful event! Mission accomplished: delivery of the first EMB-145 wing. After many hours of dedication and enthusiasm, we saw a dream that seemed impossible come true. I am proud to have participated in the delivery of the first wing and to continue doing my bit for the company’s future milestones.
Pilar Fariñas: First woman in production
When we joined, there were no female painters at Embraer. We were a complete novelty. Today, after becoming a supervisor, I look back and see stability, growth, and many challenges overcome.
Bernar Armanteros-Javier Exposito: Production
A group of people who, despite their lack of experience, were motivated and eager to take on the new challenge that lay before them. Thirty years later, we can say with great satisfaction: Mission accomplished!
Remembering colleagues who, for one reason or another, cannot be with us.
Daniel Infante: Team sent to Embraer for training
The best thing about these 30 years has been sharing challenges, lessons learned, and achievements with people who, day after day, make this company great, feeling the same pride every time our work contributes to an airplane taking off.
Jesús Benítez: Quality
It is often said that to know where we are going, we need to know where we came from. The “photo finish” of the Quality certification illustrates where we came from. After “doing all the paperwork,” we see the original Quality team with the first product we manufactured (when we were Gamesa Aeronáutica). It is a sample of the small group of people from all areas (some with more experience, others with less) who took on the incredible challenge of designing and manufacturing nothing less than the wings for Embraer’s first commercial jet. This is our DNA.
Blanca Vicente: Assistant
That contract gave rise to much more than just work: dreams to fulfill, memories, experience, and friendships. And 30 years later, here we are.
Monica Martinez: Assistant
More than half my life sharing unforgettable moments, some better than others, but learning from each and every one of them and at the same time creating unique friendships that make everyday life more beautiful!!!
Alberto Belamendia: Economics Department
After 33 years working for the company, I can say that this has been a success story. However, I cannot forget the difficult moments we have had to face during this long period. But, in the end, the key has been that we have always worked together as a team, “the real Aernnova Dream Team“.
Diego Perez Castro: Finance Department
This photo shows three basic pillars of our organization:
First, the product: what was once the wing of one of the most successful aircraft in aviation history. Second, human capital, and here you can see three tireless colleagues from the team at that time. Third, the intangible, what cannot be seen, but which was in the air, and that was the enormous excitement and pride we felt at being part of an exciting project with a bright future.
And here we are, the three of us, proud to share this journey together.
Jose Ignacio Ibarreche: Engineering Department
During the second half of 1993, a group of engineers and technicians got together to work on a new project that was a challenge for industry in the Basque Country and Spain. It was a very diverse group of people who did not know each other and came from different countries: Spain, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, the USA, Bosnia, Argentina, etc. For two and a half years, we worked tirelessly to achieve our goal, working seven days a week. We managed to complete the conceptual and detailed design of the ERJ-145’s semi-wings, manufacture the first prototype, and, at the same time, build the facilities in Miñano (Gamesa Aeronáutica was the first company in the Miñano Technology Park), where that first prototype was assembled. We created a very solid and cohesive team, so much so that many of those people have retired or continue to work for the company. I would like to make special mention of engineer Gordon Wren, one of the team’s design managers, who passed away during the detail phase.
