Aviation Conferences &amp; Events Worth Attending

May 5–7, 2026Orlando, United States

World Aviation Training Summit (WATS)

The largest aviation training conference in the world. Three days of plenaries, breakouts, and an exhibit floor focused on pilot, cabin crew, maintenance, and helicopter training across airline, ATO, and military operations.

Jun 4–6, 2026Lyon, France

France Air Expo Lyon

The premier French general aviation exhibition. Three days at Lyon-Bron Airport bringing together GA aircraft manufacturers, avionics vendors, French flight schools, and the French Rhône-Alpes aviation community.

Jul 20–26, 2026Oshkosh, United States

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

The world's greatest aviation celebration. AirVenture Oshkosh brings 650,000+ aviation enthusiasts to Wittman Regional Airport for seven days of airshows, exhibits, fly-in camping, and the highest concentration of aviation enthusiasm on the planet.

Jul 20–24, 2026Farnborough, United Kingdom

Farnborough International Airshow

One of the world's two great biennial aerospace trade shows. Farnborough alternates with the Paris Air Show, drawing the global commercial aerospace and defense industry to Hampshire each even-numbered year.

Aug 4–6, 2026São Paulo, Brazil

Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE)

The largest business aviation event in Latin America. LABACE runs annually at Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo with a substantial static display and a focus on the Latin American operator market.

Latin AmericaView details

Aug 31 – Sep 2, 2026Bangkok, Thailand

Asia Pacific Aviation Training Summit (APATS)

The Asia-Pacific counterpart to WATS and EATS. APATS in Bangkok brings airline training departments, ATOs, and training-device manufacturers together for the Asia-Pacific market.

Asia-PacificView details

Sep 8–10, 2026Various, United States

Ascend Flight Training Summit

The annual professional development summit for flight instructors, presented by NAFI Mentor (the rebranded National Association of Flight Instructors). Three days focused exclusively on instructor technique, professional development, and the business of flight instruction — formerly known as the NAFI Summit. The 2026 edition runs 8-10 September 2026.

Sep 14–16, 2026Denton, United States

University Aviation Association Annual Conference

The annual conference of the University Aviation Association. Three days focused on collegiate aviation programs — degree-granting flight schools, university-affiliated ATPL pipelines, and the academic side of pilot training in North America.

Sep 16–20, 2026Pretoria, South Africa

Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD)

Africa's largest aerospace and defense trade show. AAD runs biennially at Air Force Base Waterkloof outside Pretoria, combining commercial, defense, civil aviation, and a strong African flight training and operator segment.

AfricaView details

Fly-In

Mooney Summit

Oct 2–3, 2026Tampa, United States

The annual gathering of Mooney aircraft owners and pilots. Three days bringing together Mooney owners for type-specific safety education, social events, and a fly-in static display of Mooney aircraft.

Oct 20–22, 2026Las Vegas, United States

NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)

The largest business aviation event in the world. Three days, 1,000+ exhibitors, and a static display of 80+ business aircraft at Henderson Executive Airport. Where corporate flight departments, charter operators, and business aviation vendors meet annually.

Oct 31 – Nov 1, 2026Houston, United States

Wings Over Houston Airshow

One of the largest civilian airshows in the United States. Two days at Ellington Airport featuring the US Navy Blue Angels or USAF Thunderbirds, warbird performances, GA exhibitors, and a major static display.

Nov 3–5, 2026Cascais, Portugal

European Aviation Training Summit (EATS)

The largest aviation training summit in Europe. Three days focused on EASA-aligned pilot, cabin, and maintenance training across airline, ATO, and helicopter operations — the European counterpart to WATS Orlando, hosted at the Estoril Congress Centre on Portugal's Lisbon coast.

Nov 18–19, 2026Various, TBD

Safety Summit

EASA Annual Safety Conference

EASA's flagship annual safety event. Two days bringing European aviation industry, ANSPs, training organizations, and EASA leadership together around the year's safety priorities and regulatory direction.

Nov 24–28, 2026Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

AERO Middle East × Sand & Fun

The regional debut of the AERO brand in the Middle East, combined with the established Sand & Fun aviation expo. Five days at Thumamah Airport in Riyadh — a partnership between Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Aviation Club bringing together air shows, exhibitions, innovation displays, and entertainment for the Middle East general aviation market.

Middle EastView details

Dec 8–10, 2026Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Show (MEBAA)

The premier business aviation event for the Middle East and North Africa region. Held biennially at Dubai South (DWC) with a strong static display and regional operator focus.

Middle EastView details

Feb 9–11, 2027New Orleans, United States

FSAI Annual International Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show

The 18th Annual International Flight School Operators Conference & Trade Show, presented by FSAI (Flight School Association International, formerly FSANA). Three days focused on the business of flight schools — operations, finance, ownership, and growth — with peer exchange between school owners as the core value. Held in New Orleans on 9-11 February 2027.

Apr 14–17, 2027Friedrichshafen, Germany

AERO Friedrichshafen

The global trade show for general aviation. The 2027 edition runs 14-17 April 2027 at Messe Friedrichshafen on the German shore of Lake Constance — four days bringing aircraft manufacturers, avionics vendors, flight schools, and tens of thousands of pilots together.

Jun 14–20, 2027Paris, France

Paris Air Show (Salon du Bourget)

The world's oldest and largest aerospace trade show. The Paris Air Show alternates with Farnborough biennially and runs at Le Bourget — the same airfield Charles Lindbergh landed at in 1927.

Nov 15–19, 2027Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Airshow

The largest aerospace event in the Middle East. Five days at Dubai South (DWC) covering commercial, defense, space, business aviation, and an increasingly prominent training and pipeline segment.

Middle EastView details

Feb 15–20, 2028Singapore, Singapore

Singapore Airshow

Asia-Pacific's largest aerospace and defense trade show. The 2028 edition is confirmed for 15-20 February 2028 at Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore — the next biennial run after Singapore Airshow 2026.

Asia-PacificView details