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AERO 2026 showcases the strength of General Aviation
The 32nd edition of the world’s leading trade show for general aviation, business aviation, and air sports – has set new records from April 22 to April 25th. A total of 860 exhibitors from 50 countries were represented at AERO in Friedrichshafen, more than ever before. Visitor numbers also saw an increase: With around 37,000 visitors from 88 countries over the four days of the show, the figure from the previous year’s event (2025: 32,100) was once again significantly exceeded. The international nature of the participants underscores the global significance of the trade show. It stands at 54 percent for exhibitors and 55 percent for visitors. Business aviation was the industry segment with the highest growth rate this year. The Business Aviation Dome in the Static Display, which had expanded by 50 percent in floor space compared to the previous year, was a visible reflection of this growth. This year, business aviation exhibitors occupied Hall A1, the largest hall at the Friedrichshafen exhibition grounds, as well as Halls A2 and parts of A3. At no other trade show in Europe this year were visitors able to directly compare a larger number of business aircraft than at AERO. The range of aircraft on display spanned from ultra-long-range business jets such as the Bombardier Global 6500 and the Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X, through light jets and single- and twin-engine aircraft with turboprop and piston engines, to LSA and ultralight aircraft and helicopters.
Pilatus Breaks Ground on new Facility in Colorado USA
Pilatus marked the official start of construction on a new state-of-the-art facility at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado. The new building will house a premium customer delivery centre, where customers from all over the country can configure and personalize their PC-12 or PC-24. Additionally, Pilatus will significantly expand its existing engineering as well as passenger seat processing capabilities for the growing fleet. Markus Bucher, CEO of the Pilatus Group, emphasizes the importance of the investment: “This new facility with an investment of 50 million US dollars will allow Pilatus to expand local engineering capabilities by creating more than 50 new, highly paid jobs. Together, these functions will support Pilatus’ continued commitment to quality, innovation, and Swiss craftsmanship while ensuring an exceptional customer experience”. Effective January 1, 2026, Pilatus consolidated its US subsidiaries into a single entity, Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd, creating a unified organization of approximately 400 employees with harmonized systems across all American operations. The company’s US footprint includes its headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, as well as additional locations in Westminster (Maryland), Rock Hill (South Carolina), and Atlanta (Georgia).
Lufthansa Group optimises flight offering in summer across all six Hubs
The cancellation of flights previously operated by Lufthansa CityLine reduces Lufthansa Group's summer capacity by one percent of available seat kilometres (ASK). In total, 20,000 short-haul flights will be removed from the schedule through October, equivalent to approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. The schedule adjustments reduce the number of unprofitable short-haul flights across the Lufthansa Group network. The planned consolidation of the European network is being carried out across Lufthansa Group's six hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome. Passengers will therefore continue to have access to the global route network, particularly long-haul connections. However, due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before. Lufthansa Group is also accelerating a further key strategic step in the consolidation of European networks within its hub airlines — Lufthansa Airlines, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways.
People: Chapman Freeborn strengthens European passenger division with Filipe Mendonca
Chapman Freeborn, the global air charter specialist and part of Avia Solutions Group, has strengthened its European passenger division with new leadership appointments aimed at supporting growth across the region. As part of the new structure, Filipe Mendonca joins Chapman Freeborn as Vice President Passenger Sales Europe, focusing on all European markets outside the UK and DACH. James Edwards, Vice President Passenger Europe, will continue to lead the company's UK and DACH operations, with a stronger focus on further developing those core markets.
Mendonca has more than 25 years of aviation experience spanning airline operations, commercial aviation, charter brokerage, ACMI, leasing and aircraft transactions. His career has included senior leadership roles across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Most recently, he served as Vice President Europe at Air Partner, where he led trading and charter activities across continental Europe.
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