CASA
CASA was a Spanish aircraft manufacturer whose military transports, trainers, licensed aircraft and aerospace structures became part of the modern Airbus organization.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A., commonly known as CASA, was a Spanish aircraft manufacturer founded in 1923 by José Ortiz-Echagüe. It began operations by building aircraft under license and developed into one of Spain's principal aerospace companies. Its early manufacturing program included Breguet aircraft, Dornier seaplanes and Vickers torpedo bombers, while its later portfolio expanded into trainers, combat aircraft, transports, regional aircraft and aerospace structures. The company established its first factory at Getafe near Madrid in 1924 and added a facility at Cádiz in 1926. Although licensed production was central to its early development, CASA also pursued proprietary designs. The CASA-1, which first flew in 1929, was the company's first aircraft design. During the interwar period, CASA-built Breguet aircraft were involved in notable long-distance flights, including the 1929 Seville-to-Bahia flight of the Jesús del Gran Poder. The company also produced aircraft that served military, naval and commercial users. The Spanish Civil War disrupted CASA's operations. The Getafe plant was located in Republican-held territory, leading to production activity being moved to Alicante and the establishment of another facility at Sabadell. After the war, manufacturing returned to Getafe. CASA then undertook extensive licensed production of German aircraft, including the CASA 1145 version of the Gotha Go 145, the CASA 1133 version of the Bücker Bü 133, the CASA 1131 version of the Bücker Bü 131 and the CASA 2.111 version of the Heinkel He 111. It also built CASA 352 aircraft based on the Junkers Ju 52. From the 1940s onward, CASA gradually increased its indigenous engineering and industrial capabilities. The company reopened its Projects Office in 1946 and developed aircraft such as the CASA 201, CASA 202 and CASA 207. It also undertook maintenance and overhaul work for military operators. Contracts to maintain United States Air Force F-100 Super Sabres in Europe and Turkey and to overhaul Spanish Air Force T-33 aircraft strengthened its position as both a manufacturer and an aerospace services provider. CASA later built Northrop F-5 aircraft under license beginning in 1962. CASA expanded through industrial cooperation. It merged with Hispano Aviación in 1971 and became one of the original members of the Airbus consortium in 1972. Its major indigenous programs included the C-101 Aviojet trainer and light attack aircraft, the C-212 Aviocar military and utility transport, the CN-235 regional and military transport, and the C-295 transport aircraft. These programs gave CASA a durable position in the light-to-medium military transport market and created an international customer base. The company also participated in major European aerospace projects. In 1996, CASA joined the Eurofighter 2000 program, producing the aircraft's right wing and assembling aircraft for Spain. It was also involved in the A400M program and supplied structures and components for Airbus and Boeing civil aircraft. CASA's military transport activities included work related to air-to-air refueling versions of the Airbus A330 and other multinational aerospace programs. In 1999, CASA became part of EADS, the European aerospace group formed through the combination of Aérospatiale-Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and CASA. The Spanish business operated as EADS-CASA. Its aircraft manufacturing activities were later reorganized under Airbus Military, and in 2009 CASA was absorbed into that organization rather than continuing as an independent corporate entity. The CASA name remains strongly associated with aircraft such as the C-212, CN-235, C-295 and C-101, even though the standalone manufacturer is defunct.
History
CASA was founded in Spain in 1923 by José Ortiz-Echagüe and began constructing its Getafe factory the following year. Its first production work consisted largely of licensed aircraft, beginning with Breguet aircraft for the Spanish military. A second factory was established at Cádiz in 1926 for Dornier seaplanes. CASA also maintained repair and overhaul facilities at several Spanish locations. The company began designing its own aircraft with the CASA-1, which flew in 1929. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, CASA-built Breguet aircraft participated in prominent long-distance flights. The Jesús del Gran Poder flew from Seville to Bahia in 1929, while the Cuatro Vientos made a notable flight to Havana in 1933. CASA also received a license to produce Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bombers. The Spanish Civil War interrupted normal production. Because the Getafe works were in Republican territory, operations were transferred to Alicante and supplemented by a facility at Sabadell. CASA produced Polikarpov I-15 aircraft during the conflict. After the war, production returned to Getafe and the company established a new plant at Tablada in Seville. Postwar programs included licensed German aircraft such as the CASA 1145, CASA 1133 and CASA 1131. These programs continued into the 1950s and helped preserve Spain's aircraft-production base. In 1940, CASA began licensed construction of Heinkel He 111 bombers as the CASA 2.111. It also developed indigenous aircraft, including the CASA 201 twin-engine transport and later the CASA 202 and CASA 207. In 1943, the Spanish state acquired a 33 percent stake in the business; by 1992, state ownership had risen to 99.2 percent. In 1945, CASA opened a Madrid plant for parts and subassemblies, and in 1946 it re-established its Projects Office to resume proprietary aircraft design. The 1950s and 1960s brought a stronger emphasis on military support and international licensing. CASA won a contract in 1957 to maintain United States Air Force F-100 Super Sabres stationed in Europe and Turkey, as well as a Spanish Air Force contract to overhaul T-33 aircraft. From 1962, it manufactured Northrop F-5 variants under license. CASA merged with Hispano Aviación in 1971, consolidating Spain's aircraft-manufacturing resources. CASA became one of the original members of the Airbus consortium in 1972. Its most important domestic jet program was the C-101 Aviojet, for which it received a Spanish Air Force design-and-production contract in 1977. The C-212 Aviocar, CN-235 and C-295 subsequently established CASA as an important producer of light and medium military transports, utility aircraft and regional aircraft. The company entered the Eurofighter 2000 program in 1996. As part of the industrial arrangement, the Spanish organization produced the Eurofighter's right wing and assembled aircraft for the Spanish Air Force. CASA also contributed to the A400M program and produced aerospace structures for Airbus, Boeing and other partners. Its military transport division was based in Madrid and worked on aircraft including air-to-air refueling versions of the Airbus A330. In 1999, CASA became part of EADS and operated as EADS-CASA. The company was no longer an independent manufacturer after its integration into the European aerospace group. Its military transport activities were transferred into Airbus Military, and in 2009 CASA was absorbed into Airbus Military. The corporate brand therefore ended as a standalone entity, while several of its aircraft programs and industrial capabilities continued within Airbus.
- 2009
Absorbed into Airbus Military
[1]The CASA organization was absorbed into Airbus Military, ending its existence as a separate aircraft manufacturer.
- 1999
Becomes part of EADS
[1]CASA became a subsidiary of EADS and operated under the EADS-CASA name.
- 1996
Joins the Eurofighter program
[1]CASA entered the Eurofighter 2000 industrial program, taking responsibility for the aircraft's right wing and Spanish assembly work.
- 1977
C-101 program awarded
[1]CASA received the contract to design and build the C-101 trainer and light attack aircraft for the Spanish Air Force.
- 1972
Joins the Airbus consortium
[1]CASA became an original partner in the Airbus consortium alongside companies from France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
- 1971
Merger with Hispano Aviación
[1]CASA merged with Hispano Aviación, strengthening the Spanish aircraft industry's consolidated production base.
- 1962
F-5 licensed production begins
[1]CASA began licensed manufacture of Northrop F-5A fighter-bombers and related variants.
- 1957
Military maintenance contracts expand
[1]CASA won contracts to maintain F-100 Super Sabres operated by the United States Air Force and to overhaul T-33 aircraft for Spain.
- 1943
Spanish state takes a major stake
[1]The Spanish government acquired an initial 33 percent interest in CASA, beginning a long period of increasing state ownership.
- 1929
First CASA-designed aircraft flies
[1]The CASA-1 became the first aircraft designed by the company to take flight.
Products and positioning
CASA positioned itself as Spain's national aerospace manufacturer and as a partner in multinational European aviation programs. Its industrial identity combined licensed production, military aircraft design, transport-aircraft specialization, maintenance and overhaul, and subcontract manufacturing for larger aerospace primes.
Military and utility transport aircraft
CASA C-212 Aviocar
The C-212 Aviocar was a light twin-engine transport developed by CASA for military, utility and regional operations. Its design emphasized short-field performance, a practical cargo cabin and flexible transport use. The program became one of CASA's best-known international products and helped establish the company as a specialist in light-to-medium transport aircraft.
Regional airliner and military transport aircraft
CASA CN-235
The CN-235 was a twin-engine turboprop aircraft developed for regional passenger service and military transport missions. Its adaptable airframe supported cargo, maritime patrol and other specialized configurations. The aircraft represented CASA's move from primarily national and licensed production toward internationally marketed transport platforms.
Military transport aircraft
CASA C-295
The C-295 is a light-to-medium military transport aircraft associated with CASA's transport-aircraft division. It was designed for tactical logistics, personnel transport and other military support roles. Following CASA's integration into EADS and Airbus Military, the program continued within Airbus's military-aircraft business.
Jet trainer and light attack aircraft · 1977
CASA C-101 Aviojet
The C-101 Aviojet was a jet trainer and light attack aircraft developed for the Spanish Air Force under a program awarded to CASA in 1977. It served both training and operational roles and became an important example of CASA's indigenous design capability after decades in which licensed production had been prominent.
Licensed bomber aircraft · 1940
CASA 2.111
The CASA 2.111 was a Spanish-built version of the Heinkel He 111 produced under license. It formed part of CASA's postwar licensed-production portfolio and demonstrated the company's role in rebuilding and maintaining Spain's military aviation manufacturing capacity.
Licensed fighter aircraft · 1962
CASA SF-5
CASA produced Spanish versions of the Northrop F-5 family, including fighter-bomber, two-seat and reconnaissance variants. Licensed F-5 production began in 1962 and complemented CASA's maintenance and overhaul work for military operators.
Multinational combat-aircraft program · 1996
Eurofighter Typhoon industrial work
Through its participation in the Eurofighter program, CASA manufactured the aircraft's right wing and assembled aircraft for the Spanish Air Force. This work positioned the company as an industrial partner in a major European combat-aircraft program rather than solely as an independent aircraft designer.
Brand decisions
2009
Absorption into Airbus MilitaryStrategyBackground
EADS reorganized its military-aircraft activities and consolidated the CASA business within Airbus Military.
Action taken
CASA ceased operating as a separate corporate aircraft manufacturer and its activities were incorporated into Airbus Military.
Aftermath
CASA's transport-aircraft programs and industrial capabilities continued under Airbus-associated organizations, while the standalone CASA entity became defunct.
1999
Integration into EADSM&ABackground
European aerospace consolidation brought CASA together with Aérospatiale-Matra and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace in the newly formed EADS group.
Action taken
CASA became an EADS subsidiary and continued under the EADS-CASA name.
Aftermath
The company operated as part of a larger European aerospace structure before its later absorption into Airbus Military.
Recent events
Casa launches a free Bitcoin wallet[2]
Reported:
Casa launched a free wallet service through its Casa Keymaster app, aimed at new Bitcoin users.
Sources2 sources
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