About This Show
ILA Berlin is one of the world's oldest and most significant aerospace trade fairs, running civil aviation, space and defence under one roof at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport in Schönefeld, next to Berlin Brandenburg (BER) Airport. The biennial event pairs a large static and flying display with a conference programme and a heavy delegation presence.
2026 Recap
ILA Berlin 2026 ran June 10-14, 2026 and closed with around 110,000 attendees, up from 95,000 in 2024 and 72,000 in 2022. A total of 765 exhibitors from 37 countries presented alongside roughly 100 aircraft, more than 400 speakers across some 300 sessions, and 330 delegations from 60 countries. Chancellor Friedrich Merz opened the show in person. ILA described the edition as combining increased attendance with record international participation.
The defining storyline was European air power. Work on the New Generation Fighter, the crewed fighter at the heart of FCAS, ended on June 9 after Airbus Defence and Space and Dassault failed to resolve their differences. On June 11 Airbus unveiled Team Gen 6, an eight-company German industrial grouping (Airbus DS, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Liebherr, MBDA Germany, MTU Aero Engines, Rohde & Schwarz), with a parallel six-company Spanish initiative alongside it (Airbus DS, Indra, GMV, Grupo Oesía, Sener, ITP Aero), positioning to carry the fighter forward without France. Uncrewed and autonomous systems dominated the rest of the floor, from the Quantum Systems Pulse P19 to the Boeing-Rheinmetall MQ-28 Ghost Bat, while Airbus, Lufthansa, Emirates, Leonardo and DLR anchored the civil and research displays.
Next edition: ILA Berlin 2028 takes place May 17-21, 2028 at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was ILA Berlin 2026 held?+
ILA Berlin 2026 ran from June 10 to 14, 2026 at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport in Schönefeld, next to Berlin Brandenburg (BER) Airport.
How many people attended ILA Berlin 2026?+
The 2026 edition drew around 110,000 attendees, up from 95,000 in 2024, alongside 765 exhibitors from 37 countries and 330 delegations from 60 countries. ILA describes the edition as having increased attendance and record international participation; it is not an all-time attendance record, as editions in the mid-2000s drew well over 200,000.
What was the biggest defence story at ILA Berlin 2026?+
Work on the New Generation Fighter ended on June 9, 2026 after Airbus Defence and Space and Dassault failed to resolve their differences. Two days later, Airbus unveiled Team Gen 6, an eight-company German industrial grouping, with a parallel six-company Spanish initiative alongside it, positioning to carry a next-generation fighter forward without France.
Which companies are in Team Gen 6?+
Airbus defines Team Gen 6 as eight German companies: Airbus Defence and Space, Autoflug, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Liebherr, MBDA Germany, MTU Aero Engines and Rohde & Schwarz. Spanish industry is running a separate but closely aligned initiative of six companies: Airbus Defence and Space, Indra, GMV, Grupo Oesía, Sener and ITP Aero. Counting across both, 13 unique companies are involved.
When is the next ILA Berlin?+
ILA Berlin 2028 takes place May 17 to 21, 2028 at Berlin ExpoCenter Airport in Schönefeld, Germany.