ILA Berlin 2028

ILA Berlin takes place from 17 to 21 May 2028 at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, Berlin, Germany. The event brings together civil aviation, space, defence and security, unmanned aircraft systems, and the aerospace supplier chain. Its professional days are designed for industry exchange and business contacts; the weekend is dedicated to public visitors and aviation experiences. For buyers, manufacturers, researchers and public-sector delegations, the value lies in seeing connected aerospace fields in one setting and turning a broad visit into specific comparisons, conversations and decisions.

ILA Berlin 2028 at a glance

The 2028 dates and venue are confirmed on the event website. Detailed visitor arrangements and the 2028 programme are still being prepared; the 2026 figures and formats below describe the previous edition, not a forecast for 2028.

Why ILA Berlin matters to aerospace professionals

Compare connected aerospace sectors

ILA Berlin spans aviation, space, defence, unmanned systems and suppliers. That breadth is useful when a sourcing or technology decision crosses sector boundaries: an aircraft programme may involve propulsion, materials, digital systems and specialist suppliers, while space and unmanned applications raise their own engineering and regulatory questions. Visitors can use the event to identify which conversations belong on their own shortlist rather than treating every display as equally relevant.

Meet across industry, government and research

The official description positions ILA as a meeting place for industry, government, the armed forces, research institutions and international partners. That combination makes the event relevant to companies evaluating partnerships, technical teams comparing approaches, and public or research organisations following industrial capabilities. A useful visit starts with a defined question—such as supplier qualification, a technology requirement or a research collaboration—and uses the relevant sector displays and meetings to test it.

Understand the scale and international reach

ILA Berlin reported around 110,000 participants from 106 countries and 765 exhibitors from 37 nations in 2026. The organiser also reported 330 delegations from 60 countries, about 100 aircraft in static and flying displays, and more than 400 speakers across 300 sessions. These organiser-reported figures indicate the scale and range of the previous edition; they are not attendance promises for 2028.

• 2026 business activity: the event reported 1,276 registered users on ILA Connect & Meet and 1,086 structured business meetings.
• 2026 talent activity: the Talent Hub reported 3,500 participants and around 200 job offers.
• 2026 international trade audience: trade visitors came from 90 countries of origin.

For participants, the practical implication is to prioritise. A broad international show can support supplier discovery and industry context, but the quality of a visit depends on selecting relevant sectors, setting meeting goals and following up systematically.

Exhibition sectors and product groups at ILA Berlin

The organiser presents ILA through aviation, space and defence theme worlds, with drones and the supplier chain as special areas. The next-edition exhibitor catalogue and detailed programme should be checked when released. The product lines below describe useful areas to compare within those confirmed themes; they are not a named exhibitor list.

Civil aviation and future flight

• Next-generation aircraft and aircraft systems
• Sustainable propulsion concepts and related technologies
• Digitalisation for aerospace development and operations
• Aircraft equipment and technical systems
• Maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities

For operators, engineering teams and buyers, compare capability, integration requirements, support arrangements and the evidence behind performance claims. For suppliers, consider how a product fits an aircraft programme, production ramp-up or an operator's lifecycle needs.

Aerospace engines, equipment and materials

• Aircraft engines and propulsion components
• Equipment and systems for aircraft manufacturers and operators
• Materials and components used in aerospace applications
• Production and engineering technologies
• After-sales, maintenance and lifecycle support

Supplier discussions are most useful when they move beyond a product introduction to qualification, interfaces, delivery capacity, maintenance and the customer's approval process. The 2026 programme included a dedicated Supplier area highlighting the aerospace supply chain from specialist companies to tier-one partners.

Space technology

• Spacecraft and satellite technologies
• Space systems and mission-related equipment
• Commercial space applications and services
• Technology development and research
• Components and specialist supplier capabilities

ILA identifies space as a distinct theme world, organised with industry partners including DLR and ESA. Companies, agencies and research institutions can use this area to map relevant technologies and identify where technical or institutional collaboration may be worth exploring.

Defence and security aerospace

• Military aviation and aerospace platforms
• Defence-related aircraft systems and equipment
• Security applications and enabling technologies
• Maintenance and operational-readiness topics
• Industry and public-sector cooperation

Defence-related participation involves procurement, export-control and security considerations that vary by product, market and participant. Companies should establish the applicable requirements and permissions before sharing controlled technical information or making commitments.

Unmanned aircraft systems

• Unmanned aircraft platforms and systems
• UAS technologies and related components
• Civil and public-service applications
• Defence and security applications
• Operational, integration and regulatory questions

The organiser identifies drones as a special area and describes unmanned systems as a key technology, including UAS demonstrations in the flying display. Buyers and developers should compare intended use, operating environment, integration, safety and applicable approvals rather than relying on headline capability alone.

Aerospace talent and skills

• Career pathways and aerospace employers
• Engineering and technical roles
• Research and training perspectives
• Industry recruitment and workforce needs
• Early-career engagement with aerospace professionals

The 2026 Talent Hub brought employers and prospective professionals together. Its format is a previous-edition example; the 2028 programme has not yet been detailed. Students and early-career visitors can prepare questions about skills, entry routes and the technical work involved in the sectors that interest them.

Who should visit ILA Berlin?

Aerospace buyers, operators and procurement teams

Useful if your organisation is evaluating aircraft technologies, equipment, maintenance support or specialist suppliers. Focus on:

• Suppliers that match a defined technical requirement
• Integration and qualification requirements
• Support, maintenance and lifecycle arrangements
• Production capacity, delivery assumptions and interfaces
• Technology comparisons that inform a purchase or programme decision

Bring a concise requirements list and distinguish products that are ready for evaluation from concepts that need further evidence.

Manufacturers, technology companies and aerospace suppliers

Useful if you want to present capabilities, identify possible partners or understand how your products fit the international aerospace supply chain. Prioritise:

• Which ILA theme world best fits your offer
• Potential customers, integrators and supplier relationships
• Qualification, certification and after-sales expectations
• Production scale, delivery and service questions
• Clear next steps for any promising discussion

Exhibitor participation for 2028 is open through the event's exhibitor route. Confirm stand availability, costs, requirements and deadlines directly with the organiser before committing.

Government, defence and space delegations

Useful if your work concerns aerospace policy, public procurement, security, research cooperation or national industrial capabilities. Plan around the sectors and sessions relevant to your mandate, and establish any rules governing access to controlled information and meetings in advance.

Researchers, engineers and students

Useful if you want to connect technical questions with industry practice, research priorities or career pathways. In 2026, the programme included conference stages and English-language guided tours on new technologies, sustainability and security. Treat these as examples from the previous edition and check the 2028 programme when it is published.

Aviation enthusiasts and public visitors

The final two days are designated for public visitors. ILA's public programme offers an opportunity to engage with aerospace through exhibits and aviation displays. The organiser's 2028 public-visitor programme and ticket details should be checked when released; trade visitor activities take place on 17–19 May.

Why visit ILA Berlin?

1. Shortlist suppliers across the aerospace chain. Use the aviation, equipment and supplier themes to identify companies relevant to a live procurement, maintenance or production requirement.
2. Compare technologies in context. Assess aircraft, propulsion, digitalisation, space and UAS approaches against your technical needs, integration constraints and support requirements.
3. Explore international business connections. The 2026 edition included ILA Connect & Meet matchmaking; check whether and how the platform will operate for 2028 before relying on it for meeting plans.
4. Understand industry questions beyond the exhibition stand. ILA reported 300 sessions and more than 400 speakers in 2026, offering a previous-edition example of its conference format.
5. Follow aerospace research and policy themes. The event brings industry, government and research communities together; identify relevant sessions and prepare focused questions when the next programme appears.
6. Explore skills and career routes. The 2026 Talent Hub connected employers and prospective talent; students and early-career professionals can use future programme details to plan relevant conversations.

Why exhibit at ILA Berlin?

ILA Berlin may be relevant to aircraft and space manufacturers, component and systems suppliers, UAS developers, engineering companies and organisations serving aerospace customers. The 2026 edition reported 765 exhibitors from 37 nations and an international trade audience; those figures demonstrate the previous edition's reach, not a guarantee of leads or business results.

Exhibitors can consider whether the event helps them:

• Present a technology or capability to a cross-sector aerospace audience
• Meet potential customers, integrators and supply-chain partners
• Explain technical fit, qualification and lifecycle support directly
• Use the event's trade visitor and business formats to structure meetings, if those formats are confirmed for 2028
• Develop visibility among industry, government and research participants

Before booking, define the market and audience you need, compare the cost of exhibiting with the value of targeted meetings, and verify stand rules, registration conditions and programme opportunities with the organiser. For international participation, check product certification, export-control and security requirements relevant to your specific offer; the applicable rules depend on what is supplied and to whom.

How to prepare before ILA Berlin

1. Set a decision objective

Write down what must be clearer after the visit: a supplier shortlist, a technical comparison, a market or partnership question, a programme insight, or a career decision. A specific objective helps you decide which theme worlds deserve time.

2. Map your target companies

Use the official exhibitor directory when the 2028 list becomes available. The organiser currently points visitors to the 2026 directory as a review resource. Separate target organisations into A—essential, B—useful and C—if time allows, then record why each matters to your project.

3. Prepare technical questions

• Which operational or engineering requirement does the product address?
• What are its interfaces, performance limits and integration assumptions?
• Which approvals, certifications or qualifications apply to the product and market?
• What production capacity and delivery schedule can the supplier support?
• What maintenance, training, spare-parts and after-sales support is available?
• For UAS, which operating environment, safety case and approvals are relevant?
• For space systems, which mission, system and supplier interfaces matter?
• For research or recruitment conversations, what evidence, skills or next step should you request?

4. Request meetings with a purpose

ILA Connect & Meet supported structured meetings in 2026, but the 2028 arrangements have not yet been announced. Check the official visitor information for the next edition. Where a meeting tool is offered, use a short agenda and share only information you are authorised to disclose.

5. Plan the practical details when they are published

Trade visitor ticket sales had not started at the time this information was checked. The organiser also said that rail, shuttle, parking and other 2028 transport details would be published later. Recheck official planning information before booking travel or setting appointments.

How to make the most of ILA Berlin

Use a simple record for each priority conversation: Organisation → capability → relevance to your project → evidence to request → contact → next action. In aerospace, capture technical details precisely: system interfaces, qualification status, operating conditions, support model and delivery assumptions can matter as much as the product headline.

For a cross-sector visit, group your time by objective rather than trying to cover every theme. Compare similar technologies while the details are fresh, note questions that require follow-up, and separate established products from research concepts or demonstrations. If business matchmaking is available for 2028, use it to arrange relevant conversations, but confirm the platform's scope and participation terms first.

What to learn from the 2026 programme

The 2028 programme is not yet detailed. ILA's 2026 trade visitor information describes several previous-edition formats:

• ILA Connect & Meet: 1,276 registered users used the platform for 1,086 structured business meetings.
• Conference stages: more than 400 speakers contributed to 300 sessions across industry, politics and research.
• Guided tours: English-language tours covered new technologies, sustainability and security.
• Talent Hub: 3,500 participants and around 200 job offers were reported for the 2026 edition.

These figures and programme descriptions are historical examples, not confirmed features of ILA Berlin 2028. When the new programme is released, compare its themes with your visit objective and reserve time for the sessions or tours that can answer a specific question.

ILA Berlin visitor profile and business opportunities

Getting to ILA Berlin

ILA Berlin takes place at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, Messestraße 1, 12529 Schönefeld, in the Berlin area. The venue municipality is Schönefeld; Berlin is the main city used for the event. The organiser had not yet published the 2028 rail routes, shuttle services, parking arrangements or frequencies. Check the official visitor guidance again before making travel plans, and allow for updates to access arrangements.

Planning your days at ILA Berlin

Trade visitor days: 17–19 May 2028

Use the three trade days for the professional objectives that require focused conversations: supplier comparisons, meetings, technology evaluation and any sessions or tours confirmed in the 2028 programme. Prioritise target companies and leave time to compare notes after each meeting.

Public visitor days: 20–21 May 2028

The weekend is designated for public visitors. Check the organiser's visitor information for ticket availability, access arrangements and the programme as it is published. Do not assume trade visitor matchmaking or business formats extend to public days.

After ILA Berlin: turn conversations into decisions

Within a few days, sort contacts into three groups: A—active project, where you have a defined requirement and next step; B—potential fit, where more technical or commercial information is needed; and C—market intelligence, where the conversation informs future planning. Send each contact a concise follow-up that refers to the actual discussion.

For supplier evaluations, request the specifications, qualification evidence, delivery assumptions, service model and commercial terms needed for a fair comparison. For partnership or research discussions, identify the responsible technical or institutional contact and agree what information can be shared next. For recruitment conversations, record the skills, application route and follow-up date. A contact becomes useful when it leads to a documented decision or an agreed next action.

ILA Berlin visitor checklist

Before

• ☐ Define the technical, commercial, research or career question you want to answer.
• ☐ Review the 2028 exhibitor directory and programme when released.
• ☐ Prioritise companies and meetings by relevance.
• ☐ Prepare product-specific questions and the information you can share.
• ☐ Check ticket, transport and access information with the organiser before travel.

During

• ☐ Record capabilities, evidence, interfaces and follow-up actions accurately.
• ☐ Compare suppliers and technologies against the same requirements.
• ☐ Attend only sessions or tours that support your objective.
• ☐ Confirm who owns each next step and when to reconnect.

After

• ☐ Sort contacts by priority and send relevant follow-ups promptly.
• ☐ Validate technical claims, qualifications and commercial terms.
• ☐ Convert useful conversations into a decision, evaluation or agreed next action.

Is ILA Berlin worth visiting?

ILA Berlin is most useful for people with a defined connection to aviation, space, defence, unmanned systems or the aerospace supply chain. Buyers can compare capabilities, suppliers can present their work and explore business contacts, and researchers or public-sector participants can engage with a broad aerospace community. The 2026 edition's reported scale and structured meeting formats show the range of activity the event has hosted, but they do not guarantee results or establish the 2028 programme. A focused agenda, informed technical questions and disciplined follow-up will make the visit more purposeful than trying to see everything.

Make your ILA Berlin visit count

Before you go, ask: Which aerospace decision, relationship or market question should I be able to move forward after ILA Berlin? Discover. Compare. Meet. Evaluate. Follow up.

Aerospace opportunities in Germany

Market size and demand

The German Aerospace Industries Association reported that the German aerospace industry's total revenue reached €62 billion in 2025, up 19% on 2024. This combined industry figure covers civil aviation, military aviation and space; it is association-reported sector revenue, not a measure of addressable sales for any one product or an estimate of imports. BDLI reported €45 billion in civil aviation revenue in 2025, up 15%, alongside €13.5 billion in military aviation revenue and €3.5 billion in space revenue. The association also reported around €4 billion invested in research and development and a 66% export ratio in 2025. These indicators describe the breadth and international orientation of Germany's aerospace production base.

• Total aerospace industry revenue: €62 billion in 2025, across civil aviation, military aviation and space; BDLI reports 19% annual growth.
• Civil aviation revenue: €45 billion in 2025; BDLI links the 15% increase to strong international demand and production ramp-up.
• Military aviation revenue: €13.5 billion in 2025, up 35% according to BDLI.
• Space revenue: €3.5 billion in 2025, up 17% according to BDLI.
• Research and development investment: around €4 billion in 2025, as reported by BDLI.

Market drivers and commercial opportunities

BDLI identifies strong international demand and ongoing civil aviation production ramp-up, as well as high research intensity. It also notes fragile supply chains, international competitive pressure and high demand for skilled workers. Those conditions make it reasonable for aerospace companies to investigate supplier capacity, specialist components, engineering capabilities and workforce-related technologies, while validating each opportunity against customer qualification and programme requirements.

• Production supply chains: suppliers may assess whether their components, systems or engineering services fit the needs of manufacturers and integrators; qualification, capacity and delivery performance are key barriers.
• Propulsion and aircraft technology: buyers and suppliers may compare technologies relevant to civil aviation production and sustainable propulsion; commercial suitability depends on certification, integration and programme timing.
• Space technology and research: companies and research organisations may explore cooperation around space systems and applications; specific demand and procurement routes need to be verified case by case.
• International business development: the reported 66% export ratio indicates substantial international orientation, so exhibitors may assess export-market fit and distribution partnerships; export controls, customer requirements and market-specific approvals require separate review.

Regulations and market-entry conditions

EU civil aviation operates under a formal safety and certification framework. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency lists Regulation (EU) 2028/1139 as the Basic Regulation and includes implementing rules for initial airworthiness and environmental protection, including Regulation (EU) No 748/2012. The relevant approval route depends on the product, organisation and activity; suppliers should confirm applicable certification and conformity obligations with qualified specialists. Defence, export-control and security requirements are product- and transaction-specific and should be checked separately before participation or disclosure.

What this means for exhibitors

German sector revenue and the export orientation provide context for evaluating the market, not proof of demand for a particular product. Aerospace exhibitors may use ILA Berlin to test technical fit with manufacturers, integrators, research bodies and other industry participants, while checking qualification, production capacity, service and export requirements before pursuing a commercial route.

What this means for visitors

Visitors may compare German and international suppliers against project specifications, investigate how production and supply-chain constraints affect delivery, and explore civil aviation, space and unmanned-system technologies. Use the market figures as background; make purchasing and partnership decisions only after validating technical fit, approvals and commercial terms for the specific application.

Explore Event Opportunities

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