Friedrichshafen, Germany – At AERO, the dream of flight becomes reality. Trade visitors from around the world were enthralled by the selection of business jets, gliders, ultralights and helicopters, as well as the numerous innovations on view at the exhibition. After four trade show days, the international aviation industry get-together in Friedrichshafen came to a successful close, with an attendance of 33,400 trade visitors from around the world and impressive results: “The leading trade show for general aviation in Europe once again demonstrated its enormous innovative powers and its wide international appeal,” said Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann and project manager Roland Bosch at the show’s conclusion, judging it to be a resounding success.
Friedrichshafen is the global home base of general aviation. Business jets, propeller planes, gliders, helicopters, and the leading electronics, service and maintenance providers in the aviation industry are showcased at the trade show across 11 exhibition halls. At the show’s 19th edition, AERO once again set a new record, with 630 exhibitors from 29 countries in attendance in 2011.
New products and groundbreaking innovations from the field of aircraft construction were also showcased at AERO. The e-flight-expo and the Berblinger Flight Competition, for example, set important signals in the area of environmentally friendly drive systems. Helicopter experts and enthusiasts were thrilled with the offerings at the helicopter hangar. And the “crowning touch” at the international industry meeting was the appearance by Prince Albert II of Monaco at the beginning of the exhibition.
After speaking with numerous customers, project manager Roland Bosch reported that trade visitors and exhibitors at the global show for general aviation were highly satisfied with the show’s increased emphasis on aspects relevant to the industry. These changes included a shift in the show’s schedule (taking place from Wednesday to Saturday), the elimination of the air show, and a concentrated and specialized supporting program. Exhibitors widely reported making valuable contacts with many new customers from around the globe, as well as being greatly relieved that the level of interest from trade visitors at the exhibition exceeded all expectations.
Many manufacturers made sales of airplanes at AERO, and there were also successful sales of propeller touring aircraft at the show. Beyond these concrete sales numbers, manufacturers of sport and ultralight aircraft also reported making contacts with many serious potential buyers.
International media coverage
Journalists from around the world came to AERO in Friedrichshafen, reporting on the exhibition for media in USA, from South- and East Europe and New Zealand, among other countries. A total of 18 television crews produced exciting footage of the general aviation trade show for audiences around the world. 727 journalists from 32 countries (44 percent of whom came from outside Germany) brought the show to a global audience via print, television and radio media.
Visitor survey
Trade visitors came from around the world to attend the trade show on Lake Constance. Experts from the aviation industry use the show as a place to meet and exchange ideas, and according to the survey of AERO attendees, 70 percent of them are licensed pilots. Trade visitors at the show came from six continents and a total of 40 countries. Thus, this year’s edition of AERO was once again a truly global event.
The next edition of AERO in 2012 takes off from Wednesday, April 18 to Saturday, April 21, 2012.
