ILA Berlin 2026: Increased Attendance, Innovations, and the FCAS Successor

ILA Berlin Air Show ILA Aerospace Event Concludes with Increased Attendance

2026-06-16 Source: dpa 1 min Reading Time

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The ILA has been around practically as long as airplanes have existed. It is a melting pot for aviation enthusiasts. But it is also a venue for important discussions between the business and political communities.

The ILA aerospace exhibition in Berlin has closed its doors once again. There is talk of an increase in visitor numbers and the possibility that Europe might still end up with a new fighter jet.(Image: Lufthansa) — The ILA aerospace exhibition in Berlin has closed its doors once again. There is talk of an increase in visitor numbers and the possibility that Europe might still end up with a new fighter jet.
(Image: Lufthansa)

The International Aerospace Exhibition Berlin (ILA Berlin) concluded with an increase in attendance. According to the organisers, approximately 110,000 visitors attended the exhibition at BER Airport. Two years ago, 95,000 guests attended. Exactly 765 exhibitors from 37 countries showcased new products and innovations in aerospace and defence at Berlin Airport (BER) from June 10 to 14. There were also panel discussions and impressive military and civilian flight demonstrations. The aerospace sector is both a key industry and strategic infrastructure, emphasized Marie-Christine von Hahn, CEO of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), in reference to the exhibition. Incidentally, the BDLI organises the ILA in collaboration with Messe Berlin. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also attended the opening.

Eight candidates are in the running to succeed FCAS

Following the cancellation of the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project, it was announced at the ILA that eight defence companies—Airbus, MTU, Hensoldt, MBDA, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Liebherr, and Rohde & Schwarz—are ready to develop a new fighter jet. Incidentally, the history of the ILA began with the first International Airship Exhibition in 1909 in Frankfurt am Main, then moved to Berlin and, for a time, to Hanover. The ILA has been held in Berlin-Schönefeld since 1992, now at BER Airport. However, the exhibition also became a site of political protest. On June 10, pro-Palestinian activists glued themselves to the street, blocking access to the fairgrounds. Police officers eventually removed the men and women from the street.

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