AERO 2022 put sustainability in focus
At AERO 2022, the topic of sustainability was in the foreground, as aviation is facing a technological generation change in drives
Over 27,700 trade visitors from 75 nations flocked to the exhibition center on Lake Constance, which was almost completely booked with 633 exhibitors, during the four days of the trade show.
Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen, summed up the event with satisfaction: "Reunions radiated throughout AERO and the industry was once again shown the value of face-to-face networking, chance encounters, as well as many scheduled appointments and physical product experiences."
The general aviation industry has made good use of the past few years of AERO's forced hiatus. Even during the Covid crisis, research and development departments have been working on new products and services that make flying more sustainable, safer and easier.
Spirit of optimism will have impact beyond trade show
Tobias Bretzel, Project Manager of trade show organizer fairnamic GmbH, said: "Manufacturers, customers and interested parties were once again able to sense the resilience and innovative power of the industry at AERO. The high-tech technologies from general aviation will flow into commerical aviation. The spirit of optimism and the impetus generated by AERO 2022 will have an impact far beyond the trade show."
Which type of drive – electric, hybrid-electric, hydrogen fuel cell or bio – will prevail in the future is not yet foreseeable and was the subject of many discussions at the most extensive AERO conference program ever. What is certain, however, is that the future of aviation will be sustainable. The newly created AERO Sustainable Aviation Trail – marked by large green balloons above the booths of participating exhibitors – highlighted companies and institutions that are particularly committed to sustainability in aviation.
Among the new products on display for the first time at AERO were the Alpi Twin twin-engine aircraft from Italian manufacturer Alpi Aviation, the A414 four-seat single-engine aircraft from Aquila Aviation from Schönhagen, Germany, the Elixir 915iS two-seat training and touring aircraft from the French company Elixir Aircraft with a 100 hp (74 kW) Rotax 915iS engine, the VL3 Evolution ultralight aircraft from the Belgian/Czech manufacturer JMB Aircraft with a turboprop engine from the French manufacturer Turbotech, and the Junkers A50 Junior and Junkers A60 ultralight aircraft.
The date for AERO 2023 has already been set: the next AERO will take place in Friedrichshafen from 19-22 April 2023.
Clara Bullock
Clara Bullock is a writer for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue. Initially a freelance writer for publications ranging from gardening news to music magazines, she has made the transition to writing about the ins and outs of travel insurance and aeromedicine. In her spare time she reviews books on Instagram and eats pasta.