AVIONEWS attended the 2025 edition of "Aero Friedrichshafen", the international reference show for general aviation, held from 9 to 12 April in the German city on the shores of Lake Constance. The event –now in its 31st edition– confirmed its role as a global showcase for the sector, offering a complete cross-section of civil aviation: from drones to fixed-wing aircraft, from helicopters to business jets, with a focus on new technologies and sustainability. Below we report the official numbers of the event and the main innovations that emerged in the key sectors of eVtol, helicopters, avionics, drones and general aviation aircraft.

The numbers

A view of the exhibition halls of "Aero 2025", with the stands of aircraft manufacturers such as Cirrus and Piper crowded of visitors. The event achieved record numbers in terms of attendance. Over the four days of the fair, 760 exhibitors from 38 countries were counted, with 328 aircraft on display –more than ever before– including numerous world debuts. The attendance exceeded expectations: 32,100 visitors from over 80 countries flocked to the Friedrichshafen exhibition center, up from 31,500 in 2024. The fair spanned 12 exhibition halls plus a large outdoor static area, covering a total of more than 90,000 square meters of event space. This made it possible to accommodate the entire spectrum of general aviation, from small sport aircraft to long-haul corporate jets. The presence of business aviation was particularly notable: "Aero 2025" offered the largest exhibition of business aircraft in Europe this year. To showcase the sector, the organizers set up a “Business Aviation Dome” for the first time –a 2,000 m2 transparent hangar– which together with Halls A2 and A3 formed the centerpiece of the presentations dedicated to private jets, with VIP areas and reserved spaces for business meetings.

Sustainable flight and eVtol

The 2025 edition placed great emphasis on sustainable flight technologies. Many of the innovations presented concerned new propulsion systems, electric flight and hybrid solutions, in line with the aviation industry's goal of zero net emissions by 2050. Over 130 exhibitors were included in the special "Sustainable Aviation Trail", a thematic route between stands marked by green balloons dedicated to ecological products and projects. In this context, eVtol (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) was also discussed, considered among the protagonists of future air mobility. Targeted conferences, such as the Aero Hydrogen & Battery Summit, explored the integration of hydrogen fuel cells in aviation -from eVtol to regional aircraft- highlighting the potential of these technologies for zero-emission flights.

During the e-flight Airshow on April 10, visitors were able to observe various latest-generation electric aircraft in flight, appreciating their silence and absence of emissions. The push towards electrification found concrete examples in the aircraft present at the fair: among the world premieres, the RX4E stands out, the first four-seater electric aircraft in the world to have obtained certification (in December 2024), shown both in static and in flight during the event. This focus on sustainable innovation confirms how Aero has become a privileged observatory on the “green” solutions that will shape the future of aviation.

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