Experts from all sectors of the aerospace industry are expected to attend the congresses, seminars and workshops
Starting in just three months time the ILA Berlin Air Show is one of the world’s most significant events in its field, featuring the most advanced technology and high tech products from every branch of aviation and the space industry. With sections devoted to specific aspects of the industry, the presentations cover the entire spectrum of what is very definitely one of the sunrise industries.
The ILA catches the world’s attention not only with its unique presentation of space research and technology but also by the coverage it provides of all other civil and military topics.

The conference programme for the ILA reflects the dynamic development of the industry. Among the new features this year are the various high level conferences with outstanding participants as well as leading congresses, which will be focusing on strategically important market developments and trends. They provide an invaluable forum where experts can engage in a dialogue about the current challenges facing the industry.

In its role as a combined congress and trade show ILA 2014 occupies a leading position in the international aerospace sector. The venue for the ILA, the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, has its own conference centre in Hall 5, and from 20 to 25 May it will be hosting some 60 conferences and meetings, workshops and a programme of lectures. Other conference facilities are available in the vicinity, in Berlin and Brandenburg.

At the 6th European Air Transport Congress on 21 May prominent speakers from Germany and abroad will be discussing the main issues concerning air transport and its competitive environment.

The Federal Minister for Economics has invited his opposite numbers from France, Spain and the United Kingdom to attend the Airbus Ministers’ Conference on 25 May, where they will be holding discussions with the management and partners of Airbus about the latest developments in the civil aviation industry.

Following more than 1,500 successful test flights over the past two years the industry has achieved significant progress in its efforts to introduce commercially viable, alternative aviation fuels. On 19 May the two bio-kerosene initiatives from Germany and the USA, aireg and CAAFI, will be staging the 2nd aireg International Biofuel Conference to present the innovations that have been achieved in the development of raw materials, processing technology and efficiency, and the contribution that alternative aviation fuels can make towards the climate-neutral expansion of aviation in general.

Together with the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), the National Academy for Security Policy will be will be introducing a new and authoritative conference entitled “European Defence and Security: After the Council before the Summit”. This will be taking place at the German Foreign Office on 21 May.

The ILA Space Day on 22 May will be a high level conference on space flight at the ILA Space Pavilion with international contributors, attracting participants from all over the world. In preparation for the ESA Conference of the Council of Ministers in December 2014, the ILA Space Day will devote particular attention to the subjects of launchers, the ISS, earth observation and satellite communication.

The Astronauts‘ Day will take place again this year, on 23 May 2014, shortly before the German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst takes off on his first mission to the International Space Station ISS.

Other conferences will focus on aspects such as the recycling of aircraft (Closing the Life Cycle Gap: the Future of Aircraft Recycling in Germany, 20 May) and new forms of financing (Opportunities in International Aircraft Finance, 21 May). How can new materials be used to reduce weight in aircraft construction, with the aim of achieving better fuel economy and lower CO² emissions? The conference entitled Plastics in Aviation – Innovative Materials in Aviation and the Space Industry will investigate these questions (21 May).

Many members of parliament from Germany and abroad are expected to attend the 7th International Parliamentarians’ Day on 22 May.

Detailed information about the entire programme of conferences at the ILA can be found on the ILA homepage (www.ila-berlin.com/conferences), arranged in accordance with the various sections of the event.