Aerospace equipment can be at risk of corrosion, which can lead to structural integrity issues and other forms of severe damage to components. Adding a layer of ruthenium can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the material. In aerospace, even small amounts of ruthenium plating can greatly improve corrosion resistance, thereby increasing the life of equipment and helping to ensure its safe operation.

Aerospace equipment is often exposed to high temperatures and must be able to withstand it in order to function properly. Adding ruthenium to materials used in aerospace applications can give them this important capability. Ruthenium has a very high melting point, so it can increase the high temperature resistance of many materials.
While not generally as important in aerospace as it is in other industries, ruthenium's aesthetic appeal also contributes to its popularity. Due to ruthenium's durability and resistance to changes such as discoloration, it can maintain its attractive appearance for a long time.