ILA Berlin 2028 – What You Need to Know About the Aviation Trade Show

Industry leaders showcase innovations in sustainability, defense, and aerospace here. It is one of the largest and oldest aviation and space events in the world. The event is divided into industry days, dedicated to B2B contracts and expert panels, and public days, during which visitors can see about 100 aircraft in flight and on static display. Although this event is smaller in scale than the Paris Air Show, it brings together businesses and aviation enthusiasts. For companies looking to make their presence known, professional trade show booth design is key.

The 2026 edition attracted a record number of participants—according to the organizer, 110,000 people from 106 countries and 765 exhibitors from 37 countries. Be sure to check the schedule in advance, as it carefully allocates time for networking and demonstration flights of aircraft such as the Airbus Beluga, and the static display features, among others, the A380. Tickets for this event are sold online.

What is ILA Berlin, and why is it important to the aviation industry?

ILA Berlin is the leading international aerospace trade show and a forum for innovation, sustainable development, and cooperation in the European aerospace industry. Held every two years at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport near BER Airport, the event brings together industry leaders to showcase the latest technologies in civil aviation, defense, and space exploration. The event is organized by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) in cooperation with Messe Berlin.

Although the event is smaller in scale than the Paris Air Show or Farnborough, it generates a significant number of business deals. European cooperation in this sector often requires the pooling of resources and expertise, and this is a place where strategic partnerships can be forged.

The event is growing, as evidenced by the figures from recent editions. The number of international delegations rose from 200 in 2024 to 330 in 2026, and industry visitors came from 90 countries (compared to 66 in 2024). This structure allows you to secure B2B contracts and build brand awareness among aviation enthusiasts. Consider professional design and execution of your trade show booths to stand out from the global competition.

When and where exactly will ILA Berlin 2028 take place?

The ILA Berlin 2028 International Air Show will take place May 17–21, 2028, at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport near BER Airport. The event is divided into industry days (May 17–19), dedicated to industry professionals and B2B meetings, and public days (May 20–21), open to the general public, featuring spectacular air shows and static aircraft displays.

This event will not take place in 2027, as the trade show is held every two years. The previous edition took place from June 10 to 14, 2026. If you’d like to plan your stay in the German capital, check the detailed program for this event so you can time your arrival to coincide with specific expert panels or static displays.

The growing importance of this trade show as a hub for European cooperation is evident in the statistics. The 2026 edition attracted 110,000 attendees, 765 exhibitors from 37 countries, and 330 delegations from 60 countries. Over 400 speakers participated in the conference program. For companies building their brand in the aerospace sector, professional trade show booth design helps them stand out at such a large event.

How much do tickets for ILA Berlin 2028 cost, and where can I buy them online?

Tickets for ILA are sold online through the organizer’s official ticketing service—Ticket Hub—at ila-berlin.com. Separate tickets are available for trade visitors (trade days) and the general public (weekend). The organizer will announce ticket sales and prices for ILA 2028 at a later date. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy your tickets—in 2026, tickets for the public weekend sold out early. If you’re planning a trip with your family, check for discounts: in 2026, children under 6 entered for free on public days. If you want to see the static displays and air shows—buy your ticket in advance.

What is the ILA Berlin program, and what can you see on trade days versus public days?

The schedule for the 2028 edition is divided into trade days from May 17 to 19 and public days scheduled for May 20 and 21. This division combines serious business with building brand awareness among a broad audience. Align your goals with specific dates, as access to the exhibition area and the types of activities vary depending on the day.

During the industry days, you’ll focus on networking and technological development. Expert panels and conferences are held during this time, and the main focus is on B2B business meetings for professionals in the aerospace sector. This is the time to sign contracts and view static aircraft displays in an expert setting.

During its public days, the ILA Air Show takes on a more spectacular character. In 2026, the flight demonstrations featured, among others, the Eurofighter, the A400M, the Leonardo AW249 helicopter, and the Airbus Beluga, while the static display featured approximately 100 aircraft—ranging from the A380 to drones. It’s an opportunity to get an up-close look at aerospace and aviation technologies.

Is the ILA Berlin just a smaller version of the Paris Air Show or the Farnborough International Airshow?

It is a forum for innovation that, despite being smaller in scale than the world’s largest events, places a strong emphasis on sustainable development and cooperation within Europe. While the Paris Air Show focuses primarily on civil aviation and the Farnborough Airshow on Anglo-Saxon markets and defense, the German trade show promotes modern technologies and environmental sustainability. A visit to this event will allow you to see concrete solutions for the future of the industry.

The growth of this event is evident in the data. In 2026, the trade show attracted 110,000 participants and 330 international delegations. A larger number of exhibitors and delegations translates into tangible business benefits—scale is not the only measure of success.

When planning your attendance at this event, take note of its specific structure. Static aircraft displays and flight demonstrations are open to the public on public days, but the industry days are dedicated to building B2B relationships. If your goal is to build a prestigious image, consider comprehensive management of your booth design.

Why is it worth visiting ILA Berlin, and what attractions await visitors?

ILA Berlin is one of the most important aviation and space events in Europe, attracting enthusiasts and professionals alike. In 2026, 765 exhibitors from 37 countries set up booths here, providing a glimpse into the latest trends in defense and aerospace. The division into industry-only and public days offers the opportunity to network with industry leaders and experience the technologies of the future firsthand.

The biggest attraction for every visitor is the ILA Air Show, where you’ll see aircraft in flight and about 100 aircraft on static display. It’s an opportunity to see how sustainable development is transforming modern aviation. The event is also a major business hub—in 2026, it attracted 330 international delegations. For companies needing a professional setting for their meetings, BWS Expo Plus offers the design and construction of trade show booths.

What Should You Bring to ILA Berlin? Practical Tips for Visitors.

When planning your visit to this event, be sure to wear comfortable shoes—the fairgrounds are vast. Consider bringing a backpack for informational materials and souvenirs. Be prepared for changing weather conditions by dressing in layers and bringing an umbrella or rain jacket, especially if you plan to spend the whole day outdoors watching the air shows.

Bring a power bank to charge your phone, because heavy use of the device drains the battery quickly. Also bring water and snacks, even though there are food stands on the premises. It’s a good idea to have a notepad and a pen to jot down important information.

What's Next After ILA Berlin 2026? Future Editions and Trends in Aviation.

Following the conclusion of the 2026 edition, the aviation industry continues to evolve toward sustainable aviation, electrification, and autonomous systems. The next edition of the trade show, following its biennial cycle, will take place May 17–21, 2028, showcasing further advances in these areas. We can expect the focus on eco-friendly propulsion solutions, new composite materials, and space technologies to only increase. Monitoring these trends allows us to understand the direction of the industry’s development and identify potential areas for investment and partnerships.

How does BWS Expo Plus support exhibitors at ILA Berlin and other European trade shows?

The BWS Expo Plus team specializes in building large-scale and multi-level exhibition booths, which is important when showcasing large machinery or aviation technology. However, ILA Berlin isn’t just about booths in the exhibition halls—we also have experience in constructing structures in outdoor fairgrounds and directly on the airport tarmac, including pavilions, ramps, platforms, and structures accompanying the exhibits.

We understand the unique nature of aviation and defense trade shows—we have built, among other things,. SAMI's booth at the 2025 Paris Air Show, Saudi stand at Eurosatory 2024 and The Polish Armaments Group's booth at MSPO 2025. The company builds over 100,000 m² of structures and over 320 booths annually. This scale of operations allows for a quick response and flawless execution of even the most demanding architectural visions.

Working with an experienced contractor allows you to focus on B2B negotiations and building relationships, rather than on the stress of logistics. You can receive a quote for your booth in as little as 24 hours, which speeds up budget planning for upcoming events. You can find out more about our work in the German capital on our website trade show booths in Berlin.