Farnborough welcomes the world
The home of British aviation is hosting the second biggest airshow in the world this week
Aerospace professionals from around the world are gathering in north Hampshire this week for the Farnborough international airshow.
Organisers say they will be welcoming 1636 exhibitors - more than half of them from overseas, added to that are more than 100,000 visitors, and nearly 2000 journalists to report it all.
Farnborough is on one hand an air display, but the flying is just a small part of what goes on - over a show site in excess of half a million square metres (the size of 78 football pitches) trade stands representing manufacturers and organisations from around the world do business. There are also conferences with keynote speakers including the head of NASA.
The number of international pavilions exhibiting at the show has increased, with the likes of India, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and Switzerland hosting representatives from the global industry. But the 2026 show will be the host of the largest US presence in the airshow’s history, with the likes of The US Pavilion by Kallman Worldwide, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bell Textron, and GE Aerospace occupying tens of thousands of square meters on the site.
The show also includes a UK Government Hub, Space Zone, Business Connections Exchange, and award-winning Aerospace Global Forum.
Then there are the chalets which are giant hospitality suites facing the runway where government and trade representatives are wined and dined to either seal a deal or celebrate one. These are the private business areas away from the crowds.
This week commercial deals worth billions will be announced in all areas of the industry including civil aviation, military and space.
Forefront
Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, said: “The Farnborough International Airshow has always been a global stage for innovation, collaboration and progress in aerospace and defence. The expansion of our site and the opening of the new exhibition hall mark an exciting new chapter, enabling us to welcome more exhibitors and new sectors, showcase further cutting-edge technologies, and create even greater opportunities for international trade and partnership. This investment reflects our commitment to keeping Farnborough International at the forefront of the industry and supporting the growth of our primary industries.”
Pioneers
On 24 July 2026, the gates will once again open to thousands of members of the public and the next generation of STEM leaders as part of Farnborough International Airshow’s Pioneers of Tomorrow, a day dedicated to inspiring, engaging, and recruiting the industry’s future workforce.
For more information on Farnborough International Airshow 2026, visit: https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/