Farnborough International Airshow welcomed 141,580 trade and public visitors in 2026, a 41 percent increase from the previous edition and nearly twice the attendance recorded in 2022.
The five-day event brought aerospace, defense, and space professionals from 136 countries to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Hampshire, England. Organizers reported more than $84.7 billion in commercial deals announced during the show.
Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, LEAP, and Pratt & Whitney led the commercial announcements. By the close of the event, companies had placed 353 firm aircraft orders and 904 firm engine orders, according to Farnborough International.
Business Takes Center Stage
The attendance and order totals reinforce Farnborough’s standing as both an industry marketplace and an international meeting point. The show connected aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, government officials, investors, startups, researchers, and prospective aerospace employees.
Defense companies also used the event to introduce new products and technologies. Exhibitors making announcements included BAE Systems, MBDA, and Anduril Industries.
“Across the week, we have seen business getting done, partnerships strengthened, and ideas turned into action,” said Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International. “We are proud to provide a platform that drives commercial success, supports international collaboration, and inspires the next generation.”
Government representatives attended the show for meetings with aerospace and defense leaders. The delegation included Wes Streeting, the United Kingdom’s secretary of state for defense; Kanishka Narayan, minister for artificial intelligence; and Jonathan Reynolds, secretary of state for business, innovation, science, and trade.
Flight Firsts and Future Talent
Vertical Aerospace completed what organizers described as the first public electric vertical takeoff and landing flight at the Farnborough show. During the demonstration, the aircraft shifted from helicopter-style vertical flight to airplane-style forward flight and back again.
Fursan Al Emarat, the United Arab Emirates’ national air display team, also made its Farnborough debut with a seven-jet performance.
Meanwhile, the sold-out Pioneers of Tomorrow program opened the show to members of the public on July 24. The careers-focused program connected young people with aerospace employers and educators through demonstrations, activities, and information about careers in aerospace, engineering, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Farnborough International Airshow will return July 17-21, 2028, at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.
Farnborough International Airshow brings together the global aerospace, aviation, defense, and space industries in Farnborough, England. For more information, visit www.farnboroughairshow.com.
Submitted by Farnborough International Airshow. Edited by Exhibit City News for style, clarity, and length.
Related stories
Across the Aisle: What American Exhibitors Don’t See Coming in Europe
