Our history

This revolutionary propeller, jointly invented by Marcel Dassault and Henry Potez, equipped the majority of Allied aircraft from 1917. Henry Potez used the propeller on over 100 prototypes and 7,000 production aircraft.

Henry Potez embarked on the construction of an industrial complex in Méaulte, his hometown in the Somme. This became the world’s largest, most modern aeronautics plant until its nationalization in 1936. The Potez 25 was unveiled at the 9th International Aeronautical Exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris in December 1924. This military aircraft, designed for reconnaissance and bombing operations, achieved legendary status in the hands of Jean Mermoz and Henri Guillaumet when they crossed the Andes for the Aéropostale aviation company.

In 1958, the Henry Potez Group bought Air Fouga, the creator of the Fouga Magister, another renowned aircraft in service from 1953. Famous for its V-tail, this jet trainer, which flew in the colors of the Patrouille de France display team from 1964 to 1980, was a huge international success, serving the air forces of over 22 countries. Fouga Magister components were manufactured in Aire-sur-l’Adour until the 1980s.

Henry Potez’s last creation, the Potez 840, was a short-haul 18-passenger aircraft featuring four turboprop engines. Unfortunately, only a few examples were built, one of which is on display at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget.

Henry Potez died in Paris at the age of 90, handing over the reins of the company to his grandson Roland and future generations. Roland Potez modernized the company to become a Tier 1 supplier to the largest aircraft manufacturers. He set up a dedicated design office in 2010 that allowed the company to move up the value chain and work on projects ranging from design to operational customer support, including, of course, manufacturing.

Roland’s son, Antoine Potez, became Group CEO in 2016. Under his leadership, the group has developed an international dimension, expanding its industrial footprint to Spain.

POTEZ AÉRONAUTIQUE acquired Aérofonctions, based in Figeac, France. This purchase complemented the Group’s skills portfolio by adding the manufacture of composite elementary parts. The Group supports new programs to design lighter aircraft and has formed partnerships, including with AAA. The objective is to embark on operations in India through the joint venture AAA POTEZ TECHNOLOGY INDIA LTD in Nagpur.

Roland Potez secured the future of the Group, established over a century previously by his grandfather, the prestigious aircraft manufacturer Henry Potez, by passing on the company to his children, Antoine and Henry. Antoine Potez is now Group President.