March 09, 2026
- New concept with the Innovation Stage in Hall A7
- AERO Sustainable Aviation Trail showcases the breadth of sustainability efforts in the industry
Friedrichshafen – AERO 2026 (April 22–25, 2026), the world's leading trade fair for general aviation, business aviation, and air sports, offers visitors a glimpse into the future of aviation. The industry agrees that the aviation of the future will be sustainable and is currently developing new technologies, lighter materials, new propulsion systems, and alternative fuels to achieve this goal.
Tobias Bretzel, Show Director AERO at fairnamic GmbH, says: "Sustainable aviation plays a central role at this year's AERO Friedrichshafen with our new Innovation Stage and the redesigned Innovation Area in Hall A7. AERO has a long tradition of promoting innovation and presenting it to a wide audience. With the e-Flight Expo, we were pioneers in the field of sustainable aviation in 2009 and are proud of its successful development."
This year, exhibitors on the AERO Sustainable Aviation Trail will be highlighted for the first time by green and white windsocks instead of green balloons at their stands. The organisers are using these to identify companies that are working on sustainable projects or offering sustainable products and services. Over 100 exhibitors will be represented along the trail. The aviation industry is working on many aspects to become more sustainable. Innovations include not only hardware but also navigation software that enables more direct and shorter flight routes while also meteorological conditions into account.
Hall A7 will feature the Innovation Stage for the first time, dedicated exclusively to expert presentations by high-profile speakers on topics related to sustainable aviation during the first two days of the trade show (April 22 and 23). Around the stage, exhibitors will showcase their visions and projects for the future of aviation, including new propulsion concepts, fuels, and materials. Experts agree that future aircraft will be quieter, more energy-efficient, and cheaper to operate.
General aviation, with its wide range of aircraft types, plays an important role in the development of new aviation technologies, because general aviation aircraft allow aerospace innovations to be developed and tested quickly and cost-effectively before being used in larger aircraft.
The fourth AERO Hydrogen & Battery Summit, with Bosch as the official headline sponsor, will take place on April 21 and 22, 2026. The symposium will focus on the transition to sustainable and CO₂-free aviation and present practical solutions and applications. Experts from research and development and industry will provide current insights into their work on topics including:
- Advances in battery cell development and safety
- Sustainable electromobility and new propulsion systems in aviation
- Current hydrogen research and industrial projects, including fuel cell development and its basic components.
Messe Friedrichshafen with the largest rooftop photovoltaic system in the Lake Constance region
It is not only the exhibitors at AERO who are supporting the industry's efforts to become more sustainable. Messe Friedrichshafen itself has also invested in green technologies in recent months. A new photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 5.5 megawatts peak has been installed on the roofs of ten exhibition halls. In the future, the trade fair will generate a large part of its electricity requirements itself and feed surplus energy into the regional grid as green electricity. The facility was officially inaugurated on February 24, 2026. Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen, said: “With the commissioning of our 5.5-megawatt-peak PV system, Messe Friedrichshafen is literally going online. Together with strong technology partners from the region, we are sending a clear signal for on-site power generation, high energy self-sufficiency and sustainable management. The project is a central pillar of our sustainability strategy and at the same time supports the climate targets of the city of Friedrichshafen by reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 2,735 tons."
Please find further information at: https://www.aero-expo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/aeroshow
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Contacts for the press:
Frank Gauss, Head of Communications & Press Spokesman
Tel.: +49 7541 708-310
E-Mail: frank.gauss@messe-fn.de
Volker K. Thomalla, Head of Communication Aerospace Portfolio
Tel.: +49 170 4178876
E-Mail: volker.thomalla@fairnamic.com
About AERO:
AERO 2026 will take place from April 22 - 25, 2026 at the exhibition grounds of Messe Friedrichshafen in Germany. AERO is the leading international trade fair for general aviation, business aviation and air sports. Aircraft ranging from civilian drones to gliders, microlights and gyrocopters, helicopters, touring and training aircraft with piston engines or turboprop engines and business jets will be on display. New propulsion systems, electric flight, state-of-the-art avionics, services and accessories for pilots are further focal points. These topics are also reflected in the AERO Conferences, making Europe's largest general aviation event an important platform for knowledge exchange and further training.
About Fairnamic GmbH:
With the founding of fairnamic GmbH, the Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen trade fair companies seal a partnership with a focus on innovative mobility. Combined expertise, market knowledge, global positioning, brand strength and speed will strengthen the market position in the future markets of general aviation, micromobility, e-bikes and bicycles. The AERO and Eurobike brands and their satellites form the focus of the joint venture. The aim is to expand and further develop the two leading trade fairs.
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