Best Shot Aircraft

New Year – New Business.
AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 – “The Leading Show for Business Aviation…” No, that’s not a mistake. 2026 marked a turning point for Europe’s largest general aviation exhibition, AERO Friedrichshafen.

Following the success of previous years and having invested heavily in business aviation (BA) areas, the organisers of AERO took their event a giant leap forward with this year’s edition. For 2026, AERO significantly increased the space allocated to BA and greatly expanded the static display of both business and general aviation aircraft.

The “Leading Show for General Aviation” once again achieved record figures for the 2026 edition, with around 37,000 visitors from 88 countries admiring the stands of 860 exhibitors from 50 countries around the world, spread across an area of 95,000 square metres. Among these figures, it is also worth mentioning the 50 aircraft on display to the public, situated across the halls and the revamped static display outside the exhibition centre, dominated by the now-iconic Business Aviation Dome.

Business Aviation Dome

The elegant pavilion, inaugurated in 2025, served as the premier exhibition space forming the heart of the AERO Business Aviation Show Hub for the 2026 edition. It provided an exclusive venue dedicated to networking and VIP meetings, as well as the Business Aviation Dome Stage, where industry debates were held. The 37,000 visitors in 2026 (5,000 more than the previous edition) and the more than 100 additional exhibitors compared to 2025 confirmed the impressive growth of an exhibition destined to become the leading hub in Europe for GA and BA.

Business aviation was the driving force behind the 32nd edition of AERO Friedrichshafen – a powerful engine that breathed new life into the ideas and innovations of the German exhibition’s organisers. A powerful, elegant engine that steered the prestigious general aviation trade fair into a world it had already begun to explore in previous years and which it can now consider part of its future. Amidst the problems at EBACE – which saw the cancellation of the 2026 edition and a search for a new lease of life for the event – the business world has seen AERO as the new gateway to the European and global markets. The BA world has therefore not missed this opportunity and has been swept along by the innovative and growing wave of this German trade fair, which, with its editions in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, aims to be the focal point for general aviation and business aviation worldwide.

AERO 2026

Philipp Ferger, CEO of the organiser Fairnamic GmbH, says: “AERO 2026 was a trade fair of records and premieres. AERO’s steady growth in recent years is the result of positive market trends and the AERO team’s customer-focused dialogue with the industry.”
AERO Show Director Tobias Bretzel adds: “The fact that exhibitors from all segments of general and business aviation are presenting their innovations to trade visitors and the general public for the first time in Friedrichshafen impressively demonstrates the global relevance of this trade fair. With over 550 accredited media representatives – half of whom came from abroad – AERO 2026 was also a global media event.”

For its 32nd edition, business aviation occupied Hall A1 – the largest hall at the Friedrichshafen exhibition centre – as well as Hall A2 and part of Hall A3, making it the only European exhibition where visitors could view such a large number of business aircraft in person. The range of aircraft on display spanned from ultra-long-range business jets, such as the Bombardier Global 6500 or the Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X, to short-range jets, single- and twin-engine aircraft with turboprop or piston engines, right through to LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) and helicopters.

First time exhibitors

Many of the new exhibitors, participating in AERO for the first time, appreciated the proximity between the static display and the exhibition halls; the ease of accessing the aircraft on display outdoors is a hallmark of the German event.
As is the case every year, there were many new developments and European and world premieres; amongst the highlights of AERO 2026, Textron Aviation unveiled the new medium-sized business jet, the Cessna Citation Ascend, which thus made its first appearance at an airshow outside the United States.

Also making its European debut for Textron was the Cessna SkyCourier, a twin-engine turboprop multi-purpose aircraft, alongside one of the most sought-after electric aircraft by many flight schools: the Pipistrel Velis Electro.
The French company Daher Aircraft presented its two single-engine turboprop aircraft, the TBM 980 and the Kodiak 900, both of which were also making their European debut.

One of the most interesting world premieres at AERO was provided by Kaelin Aerospace Technologies, which unveiled the B-100C, a single-engine, tandem-seated training aircraft capable of carrying additional underwing fuel tanks.
Similarly, the Italian manufacturer Promecc Aerospace unveiled its high-speed, single-engine ultralight aircraft, the Terr One, for the first time.
Cirrus Aircraft showcased the latest versions of its SR family of piston-engine aircraft, as well as the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet private jet.

All these aircraft are now equipped with Garmin’s revolutionary Emergency Autoland System, which, in the event of an emergency, automatically lands the aircraft at the nearest suitable airport.

AERO 2026 – Contracts

Numerous commercial agreements were also finalised and announced at AERO. The first was by the Hamburg-based executive aviation company Luminair, which announced an order for nine Cessna Citation Latitude business jets in Friedrichshafen during AERO Media Day on 21 April, the day before the official start and public opening of the show.
The Italian company Tecnam signed around 86 contracts for new aircraft during the fair and also presented the new EASA CS-23 Amendment 6 certification for its brand-new P2008 JC NG, which was received by Giovanni Pascale Langer (Managing Director of Tecnam Aircraft) directly from EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet.

JUNKERS Aircraft also celebrated a special milestone at AERO: during AERO Media Day, the DULV (Deutschen Ultraleichtflugverband – German Ultralight Aircraft Association) presented the manufacturer with the type-certificate for its latest model, the JUNKERS A60.

AERO 2026 – Meeting & Conferences

The new format of AERO Friedrichshafen led to numerous meetings and agreements amongst the many figures from the business and general aviation sectors present during the exhibition, facilitated by the many opportunities for discussion and the chance to see and ‘touch’ the products first-hand.
There were many conferences and ample opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and discuss the future of general aviation and trends in business aviation. Both sectors are grappling with developments in environmental protection and technologies relating to flight safety, as well as the needs of all those involved in the industry.

AERO Career Days

As every year, the AERO Career Days provide a valuable insight into careers in aviation, featuring meetings and conferences on career opportunities across all sectors of the industry – covering not only commercial, general and business aviation, but also non-civil aviation. This platform offers young people, recent graduates, students and professionals the ideal opportunity to explore their interest in career opportunities within the aviation sector. You will find a wide selection of exhibitors and a varied programme.
The presence of various universities and spin-offs, as well as research centres and companies involved in sustainability and future technologies for aviation, the ongoing focus on the development of sustainable engines and technologies, and the search for solutions to reduce harmful emissions are also key highlights across the various pavilions at AERO.

AERO 2026 – Innovation Stage

Hall A7 is hosting the Innovation Stage for the first time, dedicated exclusively to presentations by experts and high-profile speakers on topics related to sustainable aviation during the first two days of the fair (22 and 23 April). Around the stage, exhibitors will present their visions and projects for the future of aviation, including new propulsion concepts, fuels and materials. Experts agree that the aircraft of the future will be quieter, more energy-efficient and cheaper to operate.

The fourth edition of the AERO Hydrogen & Battery Summit, with Bosch as the official main sponsor, will take place on 21 and 22 April 2026. The symposium will focus on the transition to sustainable, CO₂-neutral aviation and will showcase practical solutions and applications. Experts from the fields of research and development and industry will provide up-to-date insights into their work on topics such as:

• Advances in battery cell development and safety
• Sustainable electric mobility and new propulsion systems in aviation
• Current research and industrial projects on hydrogen, including the development of fuel cells and their core components.

AERO 2027 – Future is coming

For AERO 2027, which will take place from 14 to 17 April 2027, the organisers at Fairnamic aim to build on the great success of 2026 edition by offering an enhanced programme for business aviation. For the second year running, AERO has confirmed its status as Europe’s leading business aviation trade fair.

Tobias Bretzel, Director of the AERO trade fair at Fairnamic GmbH, said: “We are delighted with the positive response and constructive feedback from our clients, who have helped shape the event alongside us. Further developing AERO as a whole and the AERO Business Aviation Show Hub, in collaboration with our industry partners, is our top priority.”
Among these key industry partners, the German Business Aviation Association (GBAA) continues to play a key role as a strategic partner to both AERO and the Business Aviation Show Hub.
To date, over 75 exhibitors present at AERO 2026 have already confirmed their participation in AERO 2027.

Two & a-half-day Business Aviation Show

In September 2026, Fairnamic announced that, following extensive feedback from exhibitors and visitors, the business aviation hub (comprising Hall A1 and the “Dome” structure) will take place over two and a half days, from April 14 to 16, 2027.
Both exhibition areas will be expanded. Hall A1—which has hosted attractions such as the JetEx lounge, national business aviation associations, and the new TAB (Technology Aviation Business) pavilion—will be further enhanced with a dedicated entrance and a high-quality conference area.

Air Charter Expo Regional – Europe

AERO 2027 will launch the inaugural Air Charter Expo Regional – Europe, bringing together executive charter companies, brokers, and manufacturers for a unique networking event within Hall A1.
Glenn Hogben, CEO of The ACA, stated: “We are thrilled to bring the European version of the Air Charter Expo (ACE)—a hugely successful event—to AERO in 2027.”
The Air Charter Expo is the leading trade show for the air charter and business aviation sectors; organized annually by The Air Charter Association and Business Air News, it is typically held at London Biggin Hill Airport.

See you in 2027 for an exciting new edition of Aero.

From Friedrichshafen (D): Daniele Maiolo