This week in Midweek Updates
Records, firsts, growth: AERO 2026 showcases the strength of general aviation.
Comments on AERO Friedrichshafen 2026.
Cessna Skyhawk selected by Turkish Airlines Flight Academy for fleet expansion.
Ethiopian Airlines converts options of six Boeing 787 Dreamliner Airplanes into Firm Orders.
This week in history - The Kufra tragedy occurred in May 1942 during World War II when eleven of twelve South African aircrew flying in three South African Air Force No. 15 Squadron Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft died of thirst.
Bonus video - A busy Saturday morning flying.
Records, firsts, growth: AERO 2026 showcases the strength of General Aviation
The 32nd edition of the world's leading trade show for general aviation, business aviation, and air sports - has set new records. A total of 860 exhibitors from 50 countries were represented at AERO, more than ever before. Visitor numbers also saw an increase: With around 37,000 visitors from 88 countries over the four days of the show, the figure from the previous year's event (2025: 32,100) was once again significantly exceeded. The international nature of the participants underscores the global significance of the trade show. It stands at 54 percent for exhibitors and 55 percent for visitors.
Philipp Ferger, CEO of the organizer Fairnamic GmbH, says: “AERO 2026 was a trade show of records and premieres. AERO's steady growth in recent years is the result of positive market trends and the AERO team's customer-focused industry dialogue.” AERO Show Director Tobias Bretzel adds: “The fact that exhibitors from all segments of general and business aviation are presenting their innovations to trade visitors and the general public for the first time in Friedrichshafen impressively demonstrates the global relevance of this trade show. With over 550 accredited media representatives - half of whom came from abroad - AERO 2026 was also a global media event.”
Business aviation was the industry segment with the highest growth rate this year. The Business Aviation Dome in the Static Display, which had expanded by 50 percent in floor space compared to the previous year, was a visible reflection of this growth. This year, business aviation exhibitors occupied Hall A1, the largest hall at the Friedrichshafen exhibition grounds, as well as Halls A2 and parts of A3. At no other trade show in Europe this year were visitors able to directly compare a larger number of business aircraft than at AERO. The range of aircraft on display spanned from ultra-long-range business jets such as the Bombardier Global 6500 and the Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X, through light jets and single- and twin-engine aircraft with turboprop and piston engines, to LSA and ultralight aircraft and helicopters. Many first-time exhibitors highlighted the close proximity between the static display and the exhibition halls as a positive feature.
Among the firsts at AERO 2026 was the Cessna Citation Ascend midsize business jet from Textron Aviation, which was on display at an airshow outside the United States for the first time. The Cessna SkyCourier, a twin-engine, turboprop-powered multi-purpose aircraft, was also exhibited at an airshow in Europe for the first time. There were also premieres from the French manufacturer Daher Aircraft, which showcased its two single-engine turboprop aircraft, the TBM 980 and Kodiak 900, at a trade show outside the U.S.
AERO 2026 World premieres were unveiled by manufacturer Kaelin Aerospace Technologies with the B-100C, a single-engine, tandem seater training aircraft as well as by Italian manufacturer Promecc Aerospace, which presented its high-speed ultralight aircraft, the Terrone, for the first time. Cirrus Aircraft presented the latest versions of its successful SR piston plane aircraft family as well as the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet personal jet. All of these aircraft are now equipped with Garmin's revolutionary Emergency Autoland System, which automatically lands the aircraft at the nearest suitable airfield in an emergency.
Many business deals were also concluded and announced at AERO. The first was by the Hamburg-based executive aviation company Luminair, which announced an order for nine Cessna Citation Latitude business jets in Friedrichshafen during AERO Media Day, the day before the show. The Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam presented numerous orders for training aircraft from various flight schools during the show. Other manufacturers also reported sales and concrete appointments for test flights.
AERO is an incubator for the future of aviation. This is evident not only in the many innovations at the show but also in the sustainable aviation projects, which were primarily on display in Hall A7. On the new Innovation Stage in the hall, high-profile speakers presented the status of their projects related to sustainable aviation and exchanged ideas with other industry players.
Visitors were able to learn about fully electric and hybrid aircraft, hydrogen propulsion systems, and projects to upgrade the energy infrastructure at airports. AERO 2026 demonstrated that the aviation of tomorrow is already taking shape today. It will be quiet, feature low-emissions, and will be affordable.
The future of aviation cannot be achieved without qualified personnel. The AERO Career Days on Friday and Saturday (April 24 and 25) brought together young people interested in a career in aviation with potential employers. Presentations on careers in aviation generated a great deal of interest among young visitors and highlighted future opportunities.
2027 will be a big year for AERO, with four trade shows taking place around the world: It all kicks off with AERO in Friedrichshafen (April 14-17, 2027), followed by AERO South Africa in June 2027 and AERO Asia from November 11-14 in Zhuhai, China. AERO Middle East at Al Thurmamah Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will wrap up the 2027 AERO year from December 7 to 11, 2027.
Comments on AERO Friedrichshafen 2026
Patrick Weilbach, CEO of Piper Deutschland AG:
“AERO 2026, with its combination of general aviation and business aviation, more than met our expectations. We had a great turnout at our stand. For us, the show was a resounding success! It also highlighted the growing importance of electric mobility, which is particularly well-suited to short-haul travel. We are convinced that more people will be flying in the future than they do today.”
Nicola Nuzzo, Designer at Promecc Aerospace:
“We unveiled the new Terrone at AERO and had more visitors at our stand than last year. However, not everyone wants to buy a high-end aircraft. That said, we were also able to welcome some very interested visitors who have arranged a tour of our factory and a test flight.”
Steve Varsano, Founder The Jet Business:
“The number of aircraft on display is pretty impressive. You have both general aviation and business aviation here, which is great to see. I also saw a lot of people from the industry here, which was surprising to me. It seems like everyone comes here every year, so I'm definitely going to make this a regular annual visit. One thing that makes AERO special is the layout. It's really well organized, especially with the static display. You naturally move from one end to the other, so you don't miss anything. People are welcoming, and anyone can come and take a look at the aircraft. I also noticed a lot of younger visitors and families, which creates a mix between business and public audiences. It makes the whole atmosphere more relaxed and approachable.“
Stefanie Kessel, Marketing Manager, DC Aviation Group:
“The trade fair was a resounding success for us. There was noticeably more activity compared to last year, the team's morale was excellent throughout, and the glorious weather also played its part in making our presence a complete success. The high calibre of visitors is particularly worth highlighting. Over the first two days, we were able to establish numerous high-quality B2B contacts and hold in-depth discussions with partners and customers from the industry. On the following days, the mixed audience added an extra dynamic. The interaction with families, children and interested parties from outside the industry is just as valuable to us, as it allowed us to bring our work to life and reach new target groups. Another highlight was our first-ever participation in the Career Days. Our HR colleagues and specialist representatives were engaged in intensive discussions with students, career starters and job seekers throughout the event. We look back on an extremely successful trade fair with many inspiring encounters and promising contacts. We'd be delighted to return next year!”
Katharina Zechmeister, Marketing Officer, ExecuJet by luxaviation Group:
“AERO was an all-round success for us. We are very pleased both with the high number of visitors and with the quality of the discussions we had. We were thoroughly impressed by the organisation, and the atmosphere was consistently very pleasant and professional. We were able to hold many valuable discussions and make numerous interesting contacts, particularly during the first few days. We are confident that this will lead to promising business opportunities in the future. Overall, our assessment is very positive and we are already planning to return next year.”
Sonja Wächter, Head of Administration and HR at DAS Private Jet:
“For us, AERO is a real highlight in the trade fair calendar every year. The first two days were characterised by in-depth discussions with our business customers and partners, which is particularly valuable to us. In the second half of the fair, the increased attendance of end customers opens up additional opportunities - from potential charter customers to investors - which is a key focus for us. As a regionally based company, AERO is firmly established for us. It not only offers us visibility but also the opportunity to actively shape the development of business aviation. We are taking away many valuable insights, will continue to develop our concept, and look forward to being there again next year.”
Cessna Skyhawk selected by Turkish Airlines Flight Academy for fleet expansion
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced that Turkish Airlines Flight Academy has signed a purchase agreement for 10 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft, expanding its training fleet to support growing airline pilot demand across Europe. Turkish Airlines Flight Academy currently operates 66 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft, making it one of the largest Skyhawk training fleets in the region. Deliveries of the new aircraft are expected to begin this year.
“The Cessna Skyhawk continues to set the standard for flight training worldwide, offering the reliability, performance and operating efficiency flight schools depend on,” said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “This order reflects Turkish Airlines Flight Academy's confidence in the Skyhawk as it continues to scale its training capacity to meet long-term pilot demand.”
Founded in 2013, Turkish Airlines Flight Academy is based in Aydin, Turkey, and operates as a wholly owned flight training organization of Turkish Airlines. The academy trains pilots for Turkish Airlines and other regional carriers, playing a critical role in developing a long-term commercial pilot pipeline.
To meet increasing training requirements, Turkish Airlines Flight Academy has steadily expanded its Skyhawk fleet, taking delivery of 51 aircraft during the past five years. The additional aircraft will further standardize its training operations while reinforcing Textron Aviation's leadership in the global flight training market.
The Cessna Skyhawk is considered the aircraft of choice for pilot training, and it is the most popular single-engine aircraft in aviation history. Since the aircraft first took flight in 1955, over 45,000 Skyhawks have been delivered to customers around the world - more than any other aircraft in the industry. The single-engine four-seat, high-wing Skyhawk is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features, including the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with wireless connectivity, a standard angle-of-attack display system, and proven dependability. The aircraft also features a McCauley aluminum fixed pitch propeller.
Ethiopian Airlines Converts Options of Six Boeing 787 Dreamliner Airplanes into Firm Orders
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ethiopian Airlines announced today the purchase of six 787 Dreamliner jets as the airline fully exercises commitments from its 2023 landmark order(opens in a new tab). Ethiopian Airlines will use the 787-9 jets to expand its intercontinental network from Addis Ababa and increase cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise.
"Converting the options of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes into a firm order is truly a proud moment for us," said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew. "The order shows Ethiopian Airlines' sustainable growth and preparation for further achievements. By growing our fleet size with ultra-modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, we are further maintaining operational excellence and passengers' comfort."
Ethiopian Airlines operates Africa's largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying its 787-8 and 787-9 jets on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high-demand destinations across Europe, Asia and North America as well as key intra-African routes spanning the world's second-largest continent.
"We're proud that Ethiopian Airlines continues to look to the 787 Dreamliner to serve as the backbone of their fleet as they grow and modernize their operations, open new routes and comfortably serve more passengers," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa.
The 787 Dreamliner's versatility and reduced fuel use enable Ethiopian Airlines to efficiently transport passengers point-to-point across Africa while accommodating cargo in the belly of the airplane for high-demand trade lanes.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
4 MAY 1942
The Kufra tragedy occurred in May 1942 during World War II when eleven of twelve South African aircrew flying in three South African Air Force No. 15 Squadron Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft died of thirst and exposure after the flight became lost following a navigational error near the oasis of Kufra in Libya and made a forced landing in the Libyan Desert.
An inquiry into the incident took place at Kufra from 1 to 4 June 1942. The board of inquiry attributed the incident to the crews' lack of experience in desert flying; their failure to keep accurate navigator's logs and the failure of wireless operators to perform their duties during the flight. The board placed the responsibility for the forced landing on the crew of the leading aircraft, Z7513 flown by Major de Wet. The board attributed the failure of the ground and air searches to a lack of accurate information regarding the possible position of the aircraft; the difficult terrain; the sandstorm; problems with unserviceable aircraft that could not carry out search functions assigned to them and poor signal organisation. It also found that the downed Blenheim crews did little to assist the searchers in finding them because the crews engaged in bad direction-finding procedures even after landing and failed to employ visual signals and smudge fires.
The inquiry also identified reasons for the early death of the stranded aviators, finding that they failed to appreciate their plight or to ration water immediately and that they made foolish use of compass alcohol, A/Mech van Breda having drunk it despite its poisonous qualities, and fire extinguishers, which they had sprayed on themselves for temporary relief from the heat resulting in the infliction of painful skin injuries. and their ignorance of survival techniques.
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