Record number of exhibitors at the leading trade fair for aviation: AERO's added value on the Swiss border is growing and growing.

The countdown to AERO at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre is on: Numerous Swiss companies, start-ups, and manufacturers will be exhibiting at the world's leading trade fair for general aviation. A wide range of products and services for business aviation and air sports will also be on display. This makes AERO one of the most important international meeting places for the industry.

By Urs Seiler || April 7, 2026

They say great events cast their shadows before them. AERO will see a record number of exhibitors, and advance ticket sales for visitors, which are significantly higher than last year, confirm AERO's massive appeal. The AERO Sustainable Aviation Trail, innovations in sustainable aviation, and extensive networking opportunities make AERO an absolute must-attend event.

Located directly on Lake Constance, just a few kilometers from the Swiss border, AERO is not only a leading trade fair but also of great interest to Switzerland. Many visitors and pilots travel from Switzerland, some even with their own aircraft, making AERO a leading regional trade fair for Eastern Switzerland.

Even now, four weeks before the start of the trade fair, AERO fever is rising. In the southwest of the exhibition grounds, the spectacular Business Aviation Dome , larger than last year's, is rising for the leading trade fair for general aviation, business aviation and air sports.

AERO is heading towards a record number of exhibitors.

“It was already apparent in the fall that business aviation would have a particularly strong presence at AERO this year. This trend has continued unabated. Many exhibitors will be presenting product premieres that alone make it worthwhile to come to AERO. This year we expect a new record number of exhibitors, and bookings for visitor tickets are also significantly higher than last year,” says Tobias Bretzel (pictured right), AERO project manager from the organizer Fairnamic GmbH, the joint venture of Messe Friedrichshafen and Messe Frankfurt.

Sustainable AERO-Aviation Trail

Exhibitors working on sustainable products will be featured on the AERO Sustainable Aviation Trail . Over 100 companies have signed up for this. registered and will show visitors how the sustainable future of What aviation looks like this year. The participants at AERO will be... Sustainable Aviation Trail highlighted by green and white windsocks.

For the first time this year, there will be a free bus shuttle from selected hotels in the region to AERO. The buses will depart from Lindau, Ravensburg, and Überlingen in the morning for the trade fair and return in the evening after the fair closes.

New products, sustainable aviation, networking, evening events

Business aviation companies will present their products and services not only in the Business Aviation Dome, but also in Hall A1. In addition, there will be joint stands from national associations such as the German Business Aviation Association (GBAA) – the main national partner of AERO and the AERO Business Aviation Show Hub, the Austrian Business Aviation Association (ABAA), the Air Charter Association (ACA), the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), and many other partners.

In addition to new products, networking through first-class evening events is central to the trade fair concept. Furthermore, the development of the framework conditions for the industry and the future challenges facing business aviation are key focuses. Conferences and presentations by leading industry experts provide in-depth insights and complement the exhibition.

Ultralight aircraft

The Business Aviation Dome.

Ultralight aircraft and helicopters can be found in Halls B of the exhibition grounds. This segment of aviation is always particularly innovative, diverse, and vibrant. Ultralight aircraft impress not only with their variety but above all with their flight performance. The increase in the maximum takeoff weight to 600 kilograms allows designers to explore new avenues to make ultralight aircraft accessible to a wider audience. International manufacturers and accessory dealers meet knowledgeable prospects and potential and existing customers at AERO.

Single- and twin-engine piston aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 2 tons constitute the majority of general aviation aircraft in Europe. They serve as touring aircraft, training aircraft, and are also used for forest fire observation and traffic monitoring. All major manufacturers in this sector, such as Cirrus Aircraft, Textron Aviation, Tecnam, Diamond Aircraft, Piper Aircraft, Elixir Aircraft, and Extra Aircraft, are represented at AERO 2026.

Conclusion: For Switzerland, AERO is almost a "special" trade fair, but certainly a formidable hub for general aviation, right next door to the country.

TAKE OUT

AERO app users will receive a 15% discount on their trade fair ticket until March 31, 2026, if they purchase their ticket via the app. The exclusive discount code can be found directly in the app.