Aerospace trade shows offer businesses at all levels of the supply chain the opportunity to network, exhibit and discuss business. For suppliers based outside of Europe looking to enter the market or grow market share they offer a major opportunity to meet potential customers.
If you’re located outside Europe it can be difficult to know which shows to attend and which to avoid. Paris and Farnborough are two most widely recognised European shows but there are many others to attend depending on the type of business you are engaged in.
[Updated October 2023]
We have classified the tradeshows into the following groups:
Here are some of the most well-known aerospace and defence shows in Europe that we consider are worth considering.
General Aerospace Trade Shows
1. Paris Airshow
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers:: ★★★★★
(based on the benefit to new/challenging suppliers)
Where: Paris, France (Paris Le Bourget Airport)
Next: June 2023 (21st -27th June 2021 Cancelled due to COVID)
Frequency: Every second year
Website: http://www.siae.fr
Twitter: @salondubourget
Our view: One of Europe’s premier aerospace shows catering for the entire industry. Attended by all tiers of the supply chain from OEMs through to 2nd/3rd tier suppliers. An essential event for those wishing to meet potential customers, network and exhibit.
2. Farnborough Airshow
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers:: ★★★★★
(based on the benefit to new/challenging suppliers)
Where: Farnborough, UK
Next event: 22nd – 26th July 2024
Frequency: Every second year
Website: https://www.farnborough.com
Twitter: @FIAFarnborough
We say; One of the world’s leading aerospace events and core to many aerospace companies’ sales and marketing strategy. Like Paris, this show is attended by all tiers of the supply chain and is a must-attend event
3. ILA Berlin
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★☆☆
Location: Berlin, Germany (Berlin Airport ExpoCentre)
Next event: 5th – 9th June 2024
Frequency: Every second year
Website: http://www.ila-berlin.com/
We say; Only a month before Farnborough. ILA Berlin is a hub for the international aerospace industry. With over 1,000 exhibitors from all over the world, ILA Berlin showcases the industry’s very best in terms of high-tech products as well as research and development projects. The show is combined with an air display and occurs every other year.
4. Aeromart Toulouse
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★☆
Location:, Toulouse, France
Next event: Nov 29th – Dec 1st 2022
Frequency: Every second year (alternates with Aeromart Montreal, Canada)
Organized by BCI Aerospace
Website: http://toulouse.bciaerospace.com/en/
Twitter: @aeromartTLS
We say; This can be a beneficial show to attend towards the end of the year in Toulouse. The timing and location are good, and the show can be particularly worthwhile when combined with client visits away from the show itself. Although companies have small exhibition stands, Aeromart Toulouse is focused on prearranged B2B meetings with individuals and companies. Meetings are supposed to be arranged and scheduled via the Show’s website. Bigger organization may not have a stand. In addition, there are industry speakers and talks. It is possible to ‘walk the corridors’ for ad-hoc meetings and introductions, but you may or may not be lucky.
5. Aero – Friedrichshafen
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★☆
Location: The Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Next event: 19th – 22nd April 2023
Frequency: Annually
Website: https://www.aero-expo.com/
Numerous companies, displaying their latest products and innovations, covering the whole industry from ultralights and gliders to business jets, helicopters and electric aircraft as well as avionics and maintenance.
5. Advanced Engineering
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★☆☆
Subsector: Aero Engineering, Composites, Performance Metals & Automotive, Space & Satellite Engineering
Location: Birmingham, UK (NEC Exhibition Centre)
Next event: 2nd – 3rd November 2022
Frequency: Annually
Website: http://www.advancedengineeringuk.com/
UK multifaceted show covering aero R&D, design, test, inspection, production & assembly. Addressing structures, propulsion and systems. Predominantly UK centric and somewhat niche.
Helicopter Trade Shows
1.Helitech Expo
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers:: ★★★★★
Location: London, UK & Amsterdam, Netherlands
UK’s largest Helicopter trade show and UAV/Drone expo.
Next event: Excel Exhibition Centre,London. 26th – 27th Sept. 2023
Frequency: Annually
Website: https://www.helitech.co.uk
We say; “Helitech Expo is the largest European helicopter outside the U.S. Helitech, as the name suggests, is a 100% focused on helicopters. It is a dedicated show for the heli supply chain covering products, parts, accessories and services. If you’re looking to become a supplier to heli OEMs and top-tier suppliers this is the show to attend. It is a great opportunity to mix with people in industry and pitch your services.
Business Jet Trade Shows
1. EBACE
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★☆☆
Space Technology
Location: Geneva Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland
Next event: 23rd – 25th May 2023
Frequency: Annually
Website: https://www.ebace.aero
EBACE is jointly hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). The first show took place in 2001 and it has gone from strength to strength. This is a well attended business jet show with a static display and indoor exhibition. It is a chance to engage with Europe’s business aviation community and meet face-to-face with aircraft operators, manufacturers, service providers and other suppliers. The show is used by OEMs to announce new Aircraft and the static display gives a chance to get up close and personal with a huge range of new, existing and concept aircraft
Space Trade Shows
1. Space Tech EXPO Europe
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★☆
Location: Congress Messe, Bremen, Germany
Next event: 15th – 17th November 2022
Frequency: Now Annually
Website: https://www.spacetechexpo.com/
We Say: focused marketplace for the design, manufacturing and testing of spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle and space-related technologies. Absolutely worth attending if you are looking to penetrate the European space supply chain
2. Space Comm Expo
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★☆☆
Location: Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, UK
Next event: 6th – 7th September 2023
Frequency: Annually
Website: https://www.farnboroughinternational.org/space-comm-expo/
This is a newer show and one of the first large scale events of its kind dedicated to the commercial future of space. It is a B2B event that has achieved significant industry backing, including support from the UK Space Agency, ADS Group and KTN
Defence Trade Shows
1. DSEI
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★★
Location: EXCEL London, UK
Next event: 12th – 15th September 2023
Frequency: (Every 2 years).
Website: https://www.dsei.co.uk/
Premiere Defense show in Europe. This is a well attended show with companies and representatives visiting from around the world, including military personnel. DSEI is also a very good opportunity to meet individuals and organisations from the European defence supply chain. Many of the big players are at the show which is a normal exhibition format.
2. EUROSATORY
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers ★★★☆☆
Location: Paris, France
Next event: June 17th – June 21st, 2024
Frequency: (Every 2 years).
Website: https://www.eurosatory.com
This is a trade fair dedicated to the land and airland defence and security sectors covering the vast majority of countries that have a real defence and security industry.
Eurosatory brings together not only manufacturers, but also Official Delegations, VIP Experts, operational users, purchasing managers, research offices, researchers, investors, politicians and journalists who follow defence and security issues.
Aircraft Cabin & Interiors Trade Shows
1. Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX)
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★★
Location: Hamburg, Messe
Next event: 6th – 8th June 2023
Frequency: Annually
Website: http://www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com/
We say; “This is an excellent show focused on aircraft interiors. It is well managed and very well attended. Like Aeromart (and due to its good location in Northern Germany), you can get even more from the show by arranging visits to meet clients’ facilities either side of the show dates. As you would expect, the show is oriented towards all aspects of aircraft interiors including; cabins, bins, seats, galleys. IFE systems etc. In recent years we have noticed an increase in IFE companies attending the show. AIX is very international and happens every-other-year; with the show held in Hamburg one year and Singapore the next. If you are engaged in or would like to target the European aircraft interiors sector, this is an important show to attend.
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Trade Shows
1. MRO Europe
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★☆
Location: TBD
Next event: Exhibition: TBD
Frequency: Annually
Website: http://mroeurope.aviationweek.com/
We say; MRO Europe is very European centric show, which is useful to attend if you are focused on growing your business in the MRO sector. Many of the significant MRO players attend the show, which is relatively small when compared with shows for other aerospace sub-sectors. Exhibition stands tend to be fairly small, but certainly a show worth considering.
Composites Trade Shows
1. JEC World (Formally JEC Composites Europe)
Benefit to new/challenging suppliers: ★★★★☆
Location: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition, Paris, France
Next event: April 25th – 27th 2023
Frequency: Annually
Website: http://www.jeccomposites.com/
We say; “The largest composite trade show in the world. Covering sectors including Aerospace, Automotive, Defense, Marine, Mass Transit, Construction, Energy, Sports & Leisure, Textiles, and University Research & Development”
Featured image: F-WWCF Airbus Industrie Airbus A350-941 @ Le Bourget (LFPB)” by oliver.holzbauer is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
