AERO Friedrichshafen Encourages Pilots to Arrive in Their Own Aircraft

By adding more arrival and departure slots, organizers will make it easier to fly in.

Flying to AERO Friedrichshafen should be easier in 2024. [Credit: iStock]

Officials of the AERO 2024 general aviation trade show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, are simplifying the system for reserving arrival and departure slots in order to make the process easier for those who wish to travel to the event in their own aircraft.

The 30th AERO Friedrichshafen is scheduled for April 17 to 20, and show organizer Fairnamic GmbH said it has worked together with Friedrichshafen Airport (EDNY), Air Traffic Control, and security personnel to make more slots available.

Attendees interested in slots for the show will have to register in advance using an online booking system beginning on February 15. The booking system will then notify them beginning in mid-March that they can then reserve and pay for their slots.

Organizers said the mandatory preregistration in the booking system “ensures a fair distribution of available slots.” As in previous years, pilots flying to the show will receive a free one-day pass. 

"The handling of guests arriving in their own aircraft worked well last year. We are also building on this for the 30th AERO,” said Claus-Dieter Wehr, managing director of Flughafen Friedrichshafen GmbH. “However, we also know that despite the increase in the number of slots, there will again be more reservation requests than slots."

As was the case at last year’s event, pilots will have to show their licenses at the crew tent before departure. Officials will also check to confirm that passengers have been registered in advance. Passengers not accompanied by a pilot will not be allowed onto the airport property. A shuttle service is available to take pilots and their passengers from the crew tent to their aircraft.

Other airfields with shuttle services to the trade show include Mengen (EDTM) and Leutkirch (EDNL). The Konstanz field (EDTZ) offers access to the show via a catamaran ferry for which organizers offer combination tickets. An airfield at Biberach (EDMB) makes a good alternative and offers train access to Friedrichshafen Airport.

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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