From June 10th to 14th, 2026, Berlin once again became the centre of the international aerospace industry. The International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA), held at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, is one of Europe’s most important aerospace trade fairs for aviation, aerospace, defence, and security. Under the theme “Pioneering Aerospace”, around 765 exhibitors from 37 countries showcased their latest innovations to more than 110,000 visitors. The event featured cutting-edge technologies, spectacular flight demonstrations, and countless networking opportunities with leading companies and research institutions.
On June 9th, more than 40 EUROAVIAns from Aachen travelled to Berlin, many of them attending the ILA for the first time. We spent the first day exploring the city before visiting the exhibition from Wednesday to Friday. After another day in Berlin, the group returned to Aachen on June 13th.
EUROAVIA was represented by several local groups, including Aachen, Bremen, Braunschweig, Dresden, Stuttgart, and Munich, as well as many others from all over Europe. With more than 200 EUROAVIAns present on Friday, it was the largest gathering of members to date and a great demonstration of the strength of the EUROAVIA network.
Exploring ILA
ILA covers the entire value chain of the aerospace industry. Alongside major companies, numerous suppliers, startups, research institutions, and space agencies presented their latest developments. Thanks to EUROAVIA’s strong network within the industry, we had the opportunity to participate in various exclusive company visits and presentations directly at the exhibitors’ booths.
These visits provided valuable insights into the history, product portfolios, and career opportunities at companies such as Otto Fuchs, MTU, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus, as well as research institutions including the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Fraunhofer Society. For many participants, these exchanges were among the highlights of the exhibition, offering a unique perspective on future career paths in the aerospace sector.
Another highlight of the exhibition was the impressive static aircraft display, featuring both civil and military aircraft. Among the standout exhibits were Lufthansa’s anniversary special livery A320, Emirates’ A380, which visitors were able to explore from the inside, the innovative Airbus Racer high-speed helicopter capable of speeds exceeding 400 km/h, and a Eurofighter Typhoon, where we even had the chance to take a closer look inside one of its afterburners. Seeing these aircraft up close once again reminded us why we are all passionate about aviation and aerospace.
More than just an Aerospace Exhibition
As exciting and eventful as the days at the ILA were, we also wanted to experience Berlin beyond the exhibition grounds. One evening, EUROAVIA Munich organised a dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. In a Bavarian atmosphere with live music, it was a great opportunity to meet EUROAVIAns from all over Germany and other countries while sharing good food, beverages, and plenty of conversations.
Throughout the week, Berlin offered many opportunities to connect with fellow members. We played Roundnet in the park, attended the ILA after-parties and explored the city together. Even after long days at the exhibition, there was always time to socialise and place a few of our famous EUROAVIA Aachen stickers around Berlin. The social programme made the trip just as memorable as the exhibition itself. These shared experiences showed once again how much EUROAVIA is shaped by friendships and connections beyond our technical interests.
Overall, ILA 2026 was an unforgettable experience for everyone passionate about aviation and aerospace. Despite the long and exhausting days, the enthusiasm of the participants never faded.
The trip once again demonstrated the strong sense of unity within EUROAVIA and the strength of its network. Through its excellent industry connections, the association was able to organise exclusive tours and company presentations that provided insights far beyond those available to a regular visitor.
Combining professional experiences with social activities made the trip a great success. We returned home with new knowledge, valuable contacts, and many unforgettable memories, already looking forward to the next ILA!
Teaser for ILA 2028: Try to find the EUROAVIA Aachen stickers, Berlin must be full of them by now 😉
AS Aachen