EDINBURGH, Scotland — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that aerospace manufacturer Relativity Space has committed to expanding operations on Florida’s Space Coast during an international business development mission to the United Kingdom that included stops in London, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, and Belfast.
The expansion is expected to bring substantial capital investments and create thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs for Floridians, according to the governor’s office. DeSantis made the announcement while officially opening the Florida Pavilion at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, where initial reports from SelectFlorida’s exhibiting companies totaled more than $300 million in direct sales.
“This mission to the United Kingdom has advanced Florida’s position as an international leader across key industries,” said DeSantis. “Florida and the United Kingdom have a longstanding and robust relationship — one that continues to build our aerospace and aviation, military and defense, transportation and logistics, and financial services industries. This mission strengthened that high-value partnership, advancing Florida’s economic priorities and establishing new academic partnerships.”
The delegation secured multiple agreements across aerospace, defense, financial services, and higher education. DeSantis presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Space Florida and the UK Space Agency to advance international space collaboration. He also met with Lloyd’s of London leadership alongside Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky to discuss insurance and reinsurance market collaboration, including a potential research partnership through the Lloyd’s lab incubator.
“The success of this mission is a direct reflection of Governor DeSantis’ strategic efforts to position Florida is a confident market for capital investment and an economic leader on the world stage,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Through strategic engagements — including the fifth working group of the MOU — not only did we amplify Florida’s position as the best place to do business, but we solidified new partnerships across key sectors like aerospace and aviation, military and defense, life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, maritime, AgTech, advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, and quantum and photonics — driving investment and creating jobs for Floridians.”
DeSantis also announced that British Airways will add 18 flights between Orlando and London Heathrow, supplementing the airline’s twice-daily service between Orlando International Airport and London Gatwick. The additional flights will operate from July 21 through Aug. 29, increasing British Airways’ Orlando-London service from 14 to 17 weekly flights during peak U.K. school holiday travel season.
In Belfast, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue led a site visit to Belfast Harbour and participated in meetings on advanced maritime innovation and vessel development. Earlier in the week, FDOT announced a partnership with Eve Air Mobility to help launch Advanced Air Mobility in Florida after being selected as one of eight proposals under the FAA’s eVTOL and AAM Integration Pilot Program. “The partnerships strengthened throughout the week will help advance emerging transportation technologies, expand economic opportunity through increased trade, and reinforce Florida’s leadership on the global stage,” Perdue said.
Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long joined Kelly for meetings with leading Scottish aerospace companies in Edinburgh. “This week reaffirmed something we already knew: the world wants to build with Florida,” Long said. “We came to build and execute partnerships, and we are leaving with a stronger foundation for the future of the global space economy.”
The mission built on DeSantis’ previous leadership trip to the United Kingdom in April 2023 and the 2023 Florida-United Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding. Secretary of State Cord Byrd met with leaders of the Northern Ireland Assembly during the Belfast stop. “The partnership between the United Kingdom and Florida is built upon a foundation of shared values that transcend the Atlantic,” Byrd said. “From world-class schools to innovation and research, Florida and the UK are committed to fostering opportunities and growing together.”
SelectFlorida President and CEO Matt Swanson conducted meetings on advanced manufacturing and workforce development throughout the week. The delegation announced a second cohort of five high-potential SpaceTech companies for Space Florida and Seraphim Space’s investment accelerator program.