AERO Friedrichshafen 2011 report
The official report on last week's AERO Friedrichshafen airshow in Germany, Europe's largest GA-specific airshow.
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.
“The leading trade show for General Aviation in Europe once again demonstrated its enormous innovative powers and its wide international appeal,” Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann said at the conclusion of the event.
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 set a new record with 630 exhibitors from 29 countries (six continents) in attendance in 2011.
New products and 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 airshow, and a concentrated and specialised supporting program.
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.
The next edition of AERO takes off from Wednesday April 18 to Saturday April 21 next year. To read more on the event click here.
