Will it one day be possible for climate-neutral planes to fly without leaving contrails? What does the rover that will be used to drill a two-meter-deep hole in Phobos, one of moons that orbits planet Mars, look like? These are just two of the questions being explored at the ILA in the German capital, one of the biggest air shows in Europe.
There is little evidence of the current crisis facing civil aviation because of the Iran war, and little talk about the worldwide complaints about high oil prices and fuel shortages, rising ticket prices and cancelled flights. At the opening, Michael Schöllhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space and president of the German aerospace industry association (BDLI), spoke of "a record-breaking ILA."
In 2024, 600 exhibitors from 31 countries attended the trade show, whereas this year there are more than 750 exhibitors from 37 countries. "All the halls have been fully booked since November, and 300 political delegations from around the world are in Berlin," Schöllhorn said.
Defense industry is the main focus
The main focus is on the defense industry, which is booming as conflicts continue to proliferate around the world. In addition to the German military, the Bundeswehr, which is the largest exhibitor, there are major names present.
