AERO 2026 with record number of exhibitors and expanded airshow on Saturday

AERO Friedrichshafen will take place from April 22 to 25, 2026, setting a new exhibitor record. With around 820 exhibitors from over 50 nations, the international leading trade show for general aviation, business aviation, and air sports surpasses all previous benchmarks. In addition to numerous product premieres and a comprehensive professional program, visitors can look forward to structured Guided Tours for the first time, enabling an efficient and in-depth trade show experience.

Tobias Bretzel, Project Manager AERO at Fairnamic GmbH commented: “We are very proud of what we have achieved this year. The enthusiasm and anticipation among exhibitors, partners, and visitors are already clearly noticeable.” 

Saturday will be in the spotlight as a visitor and family day for all aviation fans: “The absolute crowd highlight is the traditional airshow, for which we have put together an expanded and even more spectacular program,” emphasizes Tobias Bretzel. The offering is complemented by new creator panels, where aviation influencers and content creators will particularly engage young aviation enthusiasts, as well as a Kids Area specially designed for younger visitors. Discounted family tickets for €39 will be available at the ticket counters on Saturday. 

Guided tours: first-hand industry insights

The Friedrichshafen exhibition grounds feature a unique infrastructure in Europe with direct access to Lake Constance Airport. Exhibitors can taxi their aircraft directly from the airport to the static display and into the exhibition halls. In 2026, the static display will be expanded once again, now showcasing 35 aircraft—more than ever before.

For the first time, AERO will offer structured guided tours, providing trade visitors with targeted orientation across the large exhibition. Under expert guidance and in small groups, participants can book themed tours on: Sustainable Aviation, Innovative Propulsion Systems, Trade Show Innovations, and HR & Career Opportunities in Business Aviation. These tours offer direct interaction with exhibitors and exclusive background insights. Registration at: https://www.aero-expo.com/guided-tours-registration.

Airshow: spectacular program on Saturday

The AERO airshow has been one of the most popular attractions of the exhibition for years, captivating thousands of spectators annually. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, it will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The show will open with the Flying Bones, who will turn the sky above the exhibition grounds into a stage with breathtaking parachute jumps. They will be followed by Nico and Ralf Niebergall: father and son flying in close formation with two Siai Marchetti SF-260 aircraft, demonstrating the precision and harmony of two pilots operating as one team. The grand finale will be performed by the legendary Flying Bulls: pilot Mirko Flaim will demonstrate what a helicopter can do in the right hands at the controls of the iconic BO-105, with loops, rolls, and highly dynamic maneuvers rarely seen at airshows worldwide. A meet & greet with the airshow pilots will take place afterwards from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the Business Aviation Dome Stage.

Creator Panels: Aviation Meets Social Media

With the Creator Panels, AERO is launching a new format on Saturday at the Innovation Stage, specifically aimed at younger, digitally savvy aviation enthusiasts. Participants include Pascal from AeroNewsGermany, one of the most far-reaching German-language aviation channels, in conversation with Sat.1 presenter Kira Ortmann, the live podcast Cockpit Diaries with Julia (julies.diaries) and Anna (allaroundbyanna), as well as pilot Raja Katz together with the initiative elevate.her. Also taking the stage is flying_manon, who shares insights into her everyday life as a long-haul pilot on social media and whose dual life will be featured in an episode of the HR documentary series “Mittendrin – Flughafen Frankfurt” airing on April 22. Also joining are Pilot Frank as well as Diana and Dirk Drees of Apfelkuchenflugzeugbau, who show that aviation can also be approached with a good sense of humor. Following the sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the creators in person at a meet & greet.