Southern Africa's premier event for the general aviation industry, AERO South Africa took place this year at the Wonderboom National Airport in Tshwane, Gauteng, from July 6 to 9.

The event was presented by Messe Frankfurt South Africa in partnership with Fairnamic – organisers of Europe’s largest general aviation show Aero Friedrichshafen.

The organisers, in a post-show report, said that AERO South Africa has continued to gather momentum since its inception three years ago.

“During the event, visitors had the opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with renowned experts in the General Aviation industry”, and the daily schedule was packed with “insightful sessions from exhibitors that delved into the latest innovations and explored various captivating topics”, the organisers noted.

The event played host to a variety of initiatives including the business matchmaking programme and a youth development programme.

Additionally, visitors were offered the option to ‘fly-in’ and partake in demonstration flights, offered by exhibitors, as well as the option to ‘park and sell’ at the event.

Great Reviews

“The response to the business matchmaking programme was overwhelming, with numerous exhibitors and trade visitors eagerly participating in this unique networking opportunity,” highlighted the organisers.

The programme’s success was evident through the “numerous fruitful connections” forged during the event, with the organisers observing that, by tailoring the matches based on individual business profiles and specific interests, the business matchmaking programme ensured that participants could engage with their desired audience, maximising the potential for successful collaborations and partnerships.

Young Talent

“The AERO South Africa youth development programme was a resounding success,” says Messe Frankfurt South Africa.

Students with a passion for aviation had the privilege of listening to esteemed speakers from organisations such as the Aviation Development Foundation, Blue-Chip Flight School, and the Mega Training Academy.

Described as “inspiring and informative” the youth development programme set out to help future aviators realise their dreams and provided invaluable insights into the industry.

Other Attractions

The success of the fly-in option was evident as numerous preregistered participants took advantage of the offer.

The presence of the fly-in participants reportedly enhanced the vibrant atmosphere of the event, fostering valuable networking opportunities and enabling a dynamic exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Selected exhibitors offered demo flights to serious prospective buyers, providing them with an immersive and exhilarating experience of the aircraft's capabilities and features.

These demonstration flights proved to be a great success, leaving a lasting impression on participants

The three-day event hosted 60 exhibitors, 14 of which were internationally based suppliers.

The organisers concluded that 21 countries and various sectors were represented by the 2 980 attendees.