Organisers confident 2021 AERO Friedrichshafen will go ahead

The organisers of Europe’s top General Aviation show, AERO, held at Friedrichshafen Airport in southern Germany, are confident the 2021 show will go ahead despite the ongoing Covid crisis.

The show is due to take place at the purpose-built exhibition centre adjacent to the airport from 21 to 24 April 2021. That’s a couple of weeks later than usual to avoid conflicting with the US Sun ‘n Fun event.

Among the confirmed exhibitors are Diamond, Tecnam, Piper, Junkers, Textron and Rheinland Air Service, Germany’s agent for Daher (TBM), HondaJet and Bell Helicopters.

“We are pleased about the loud and enthusiastic response by the industry,” said Roland Bosch, head of AERO. “This underlines the relevance of AERO Friedrichshafen and the need for face-to-face interaction.”

Anti-covid measures include compulsory masks and mandatory online ticketing.

As of mid-December 2020, the AERO team reports good international registration numbers, with some 60 percent of registered exhibitors coming from abroad.

The e-flight-expo is expected to garner special attention in the coming year. Particularly innovative aircraft concepts, alternative propulsion systems, and the topic of charging infrastructure will be presented.

Friedrichshafen Airport is currently assessing the possibility of having charging stations for electrically powered aircraft, after inquiries from Swiss pilots who want to fly into Friedrichshafen with electric aircraft including the new Pipistrel Velis Electro.

AERO Friedrichshafen offers the full range of General Aviation with aircraft ranging from non-military drones, gliders, ultralights, and gyrocopters to helicopters and light aircraft with piston engines or propeller turbines through to business jets on display.

New propulsion systems, state-of-the-art avionics, and services and accessories for pilots are further focal points of the show.

There will also be digital conference content on a regular basis outside the conventional trade fair period.

“This will allow us to maintain contact with our exhibitors, our visitors, and all networks in the time before the upcoming trade show date as well as share the fascination of aviation with the industry all year-round under the hash tags #wearega and #aerofriedrichshafen,” said AERO Project Manager Tobias Bretzel.

Ivo Boscarol, founder and General Manager of Pipistrel Group said “Pipistrel has always regarded AERO Friedrichshafen to be one of the most important events for promoting ‘light and general aviation.’ That’s why we’ve never missed the fair from the very outset – except this year, when the coronavirus prevented us all from attending.

“We are therefore greatly anticipating AERO 2021, when the event will be brought back to life in all its glory. It’s important not only for the success of us exhibitors but also for promoting aviation in general through the leading European exhibition in this sector.

“Did you know that Pipistrel’s planes have the slogan, ‘Infected by Pipistrel’? There’s a reason behind it – once you’ve tried them, you won’t be able to get them out of your head your whole life. We therefore believe that the Pipistrel Virus aircraft will be the only ‘virus’ at AERO 2021!”

AERO Friedrichshafen