Record business aviation presence: 50 aircraft – up from 30 last year
Major OEM highlights: latest jets and turboprops incl. Textron Citation Ascend, Falcon 6X, Bombardier Global 6500 and Daher TBM 980
New collaborations & formats: expanded partnerships, forums and dedicated business aviation programme

Friedrichshafen, Germany – The 32nd Edition of AERO Friedrichshafen, Europe’s leading general aviation show, welcomes its biggest business aviation presence ever when it opens its doors on April 22nd for four days.

Exhibitors include business aviation associations from Asia (AsBAA), Germany (GBAA) and Austria (AABA) and an emerging Middle East contingent, including representatives of MEBAA.

Out on the static and in the halls, 50 showcased aircraft are business models – fixed wing and helicopters – versus a 30-strong line up last year. Highlights include debutantes from Textron – its new, mid-size Citation Ascend stopping off on its European tour, the super mid-size Longitude and Dassault’s Falcon 6X and Bombardier’s Global 6500. Turboprop headliners include Daher’s brand new TBM 980, the latest Kodiak 900 and a welcome of return the Piaggio P.180 Avanti Evo. Cirrus will show its latest Series 3 Vision Jet.

Showing for the first time, under new Diamond Aircraft ownership, in the Innovation Area, (Hall A7) is Volocopter and its new VoloXPro, the personal ultralight vertical mobility solution. Diamond is also marking three world aircraft premieres on its main stand in Hall A4. Another newcomer is Germany’s ultra-light EvoCopter ClassiX, helicopter.

“We took a bold decision to widen out our business aviation element buoyed by the success of the Business Aviation Showcase Hub last year,” said Tobias Bretzel, Show Director, AERO Friedrichshafen. “We created more space on the static and had sold all slots by the end of March. We have doubled the exhibitor numbers in the Dome and opened a new Hall (A1) to accommodate mainly new exhibitors, which this year include JetEx, ViaSat, UAS, Hadid, Flight Safety International, CAE (which is coming with a Diamond 42) and Web Manuals.

Other new collaborations see the arrival of The International Aircraft Dealers’ Association (IADA) with a member pavilion and a new pre-owned aircraft line up in co-operation with GlobalAir.com. Prospective buyers are invited to use a special VIP entrance situated in the north part of the Dome. They can also apply for a landing slot if seeking to fly in and out.

The Air Charter Association brings European Regional Forum to AERO

Another newly ratified collaboration, to be further widened out in 2027, is with The Air Charter Association, which introduces its European Regional Forum 2026 at AERO. The ACA will moderate three panel sessions from 1400hrs to 1630hrs during 22nd April starting with What does the air charter industry do? It will explore the broad scope of the charter industry from relief flights, medevac to sports and music tours. Moderated by The ACA CEO Glenn Hogben, speakers are: Oliver Smith, Head of Sales and Business Development, SaxonAir; Aaron Stein, Global Director of Operations, Victor; Rasmus Bank, Chief Sales Officer, JoinJet and John Hewett, Global VP, Universal Aviation.

Avoiding illegal aircraft charter will explore how regulations vary in different territories and what can be done to avoid risk. The subject will be tackled by Adam Neaves, Head of Charter, Gama Aviation and Adelaide Rispoli, Sales Manager, St Barth Executive, with Dave Connor, Chief Executive, RVL Aviation/ACA Board Member.

Understanding the role and value of the Air Charter Broker will be debated by David Stocks, Director, Private Jets (DE) Air Charter Service; Sam Heather, Managing Director, 26Aviation and Tomas Camprubi, Managing Director (UK), LunaJets, chaired by Julie Black, Head of Business Aviation, Hunt & Palmer/Board Member of The ACA.

Newcomers interested in becoming a charter broker are invited to participate in a one-day The Air Charter Essentials Certificate on 21 April, a timely segue to combine initial training with the exhibition the following day. No prior knowledge of air charter is required.

Corporate Jet Investor is introducing two panels on April 23. How to buy pre-owned aircraft without headaches, moderated by CJI’s Yves Marchand, with Meghan Dwyer, Sales Director, Europe, Guardian Jet LLC; Olivier Knutti, Managing Director, 88K; Warren Lovell, VP Aircraft Sales Europe and Africa, Leviate Air Group and Steve Varsano, CEO, The Jet Business. The second panel dives into aircraft ownership with Algernon Trotter, CEO, LUMINAIR; Dr Oliver Kosing, Aero-Dienst, Managing Director and Damir Spojaric, CEO, Alpha Aviation.

Media partner AIN Media Group’s Managing Editor Charles Alcock will moderate two panels. Challenges in the global business aviation industry on 23rd April is scheduled for 1230hrs with Steffen Merz, Board Member, German Business Aviation Association (GBAA); Antonia Gilbert, President, Austrian Business Aviation Association (ABAA); Penny Lim, CEO, Southeast Asia, Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) and Carsten Nesemann, Attorney & Expert on Aviation Taxation and Tariffs. The second, at 1430hrs, titled The Bottlenecks in business aviation will be addressed by David Bergold, CEO, LUMINAIR; Ieva Trotter, CFO, Platoon Aviation; Mohammad Osta, Commercial Director, HADID) and Maxim Ivanov, OCC Manager, FCG OPS.

Another new feature this year will be the Women in Aviation International brunch from 1000hrs on 23 April with WAI CEO Lynda Coffman and special guest speaker, Dr Susan Ying, CEO, EM-power and Board member, Noemi Aerospace.

On April 22^nd at 11 am the newly created TAB (Technology Aviation Business) will announce ‘A New Chapter for Aviation Technology’ on the Dome stage.

As of 16 April, AERO Friedrichshafen had signed more than 850 exhibitors from 50 countries.

The organisers are also looking forward to working with new media partner Aviation Week Network for Innovation and Digital intelligence, collaborating on talks on the Innovation Stage and Flight Global, once again, as official Showcase sponsor with their Show Dailies.

Business aircraft line up

88K – PC-12; Air Alliance PC-24; Pilatus PC-12 NGX, Pilatus PC-12; Air Alliance GmbH Pilatus PC-24 & PC-12 PRO; Air Independence PC-12; Airstream, a.s. Beechcraft King Air; Air X, Challenger 850; AMC Aviation, Learjet 60XR; Augsburg Air Service GmbH, King Air, Embraer Phenom 100E; BHS Aviation GmbH; Citation Latitude – 680A, AW109 SP; Bombardier, Challenger 6500; Business Jet Aviation TR GmbH, Phenom 100; Cirrus Aircraft, Vision Jet Series 3; Cirrus SF50, Vision Jet; DAS Private Jets GmbH, Embraer Phenom 300E; Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X; FAI Aviation Group Learjet 60XR; Haute Aviation, Bell 407; HTM Helicopter Travel Munich Airbus EC135; Jetron, King Air C90; MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH, Piper Meridian; Piaggio Aerospace P.180 Avanti EVO; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Piper M700, Piper M500, Piper PA 28 Archer DX; Platoon Aviation; Pilatus PC-24; Rheinland Air Service DAHER TBM 980, HondaJet Elite II, Kodiak 900; Bell 407, Bell 505 Jet Ranger X; Silesia Air s.r.o. Beech King Air 260; Tecnam P2012 Traveller; Textron Aviation King Air 260, Caravan EX, Virus, Cessna 206, Citation Ascend, Citation M2 Gen2, Citation Longitude; Cessna T182, Cessna 172; Volare Aviation: Bombardier Global 5000; EC155; Wipaire; Cessna 172.

Please find further information at: https://www.aero-expo.com/trade-show-branches/branches-and-specials/business-aviation

Follow us at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/aeroshow
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Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aero.friedrichshafen

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

Alison Chambers, Emerald Media – at AERO Friedrichshafen

Tel: +44 (0) 7881 628057

E-Mail: alison.chambers@emeraldmedia.co.uk

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.

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his career in aviation and has worked in most areas of our industry with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc currently represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Continued Airworthiness Group and with the Association for Remotely Piloted Aviation Services (ARPAS). 

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities.  The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after six years to continue our good work for industry. With the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to undertake this work with the regulator including regular discussions and a full industry day with the CAA each year.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum, which allows industry in the UK to discuss the financial plans for the CAA and look closely at the services being delivered to industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. 

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform” .  The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. 

The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Moving into 2026 we are seeking to further develop the pathways to enter aviation, and this effort is being supported with development of multimedia platforms with the organisation Metaverse. This multimedia approach is being developed so that it is more relatable to the next generation of people wishing to join aviation in a myriad of roles.

In the role of President (honorary) Marc can support the BBGA in many aspects and continue to ensure that we retain the right connections across industry, with regulators in the UK, regulators in the EU and wherever possible help hold government and its departments to account using normal channels, and where necessary utilise All Party-Political Groups for aviation.

Isle of Man Conference

BBGA House of Commons Reception

BBGA Universal Aviation 2026 Golf Tournament

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

James Carroll

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver