The International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) opened its doors today at BER Airport. Over the coming days, the focus will be on the latest developments in the security and defence sectors, space technologies and the full spectrum of aviation. The ILA will also be open to the general public at the weekend. At the start of the exhibition, Brandenburg’s Minister-President Dr Dietmar Woidke will join Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, on the opening tour led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In addition to the Minister-President, other representatives of the state government will be on site to learn about Brandenburg’s contribution to the international aerospace industry.

Woidke: “The ILA belongs in our capital region. This was reaffirmed during the tour with the Federal Chancellor and Berlin’s Governing Mayor. It has a unique success story. Public interest in aerospace is huge. The same applies to the importance of this industry as one of our state’s key economic sectors. The aviation industry stands for industrial value creation, global connectivity, outstanding innovation and good jobs. But there is also a downside: the Airbus A380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft; it can take off and land at BER without any problems. Yet far too little use is made of it. Long-haul flights, from here out into the wider world – there is still room for improvement.”

Minister for the Interior Dr Jan Redmann is finding out more at the ILA during a tour on Friday. Redmann: “The ILA is a leading trade fair and showcase – and a barometer of the innovative strength of German and Brandenburg industry. Particularly in times of growing threats and necessary investment in our internal and external security, the ILA in Schönefeld is the right place to learn about and exchange innovative ideas and projects. I would like to thank our state police for their efforts in protecting the exhibitors and visitors.”

At the ILA, Minister for Economic Affairs Martina Klement is seeing for herself the importance of Brandenburg’s companies to the aviation industry. She highlighted the opportunities offered by this future-oriented market. Klement: “The International Aerospace Exhibition impressively demonstrates how closely economic strength, development potential and security are linked today. The security and defence industry in particular offers enormous potential for innovation, new business models and skilled employment. With its strong industry, many innovative companies, excellent research institutions and its proximity to Berlin, Brandenburg has the ideal conditions to benefit from this development and make an important contribution to Europe’s technological sovereignty.“

Brandenburg’s Transport Minister Robert Crumbach is calling, on the occasion of this year’s ILA, for the aviation hub in eastern Germany in particular to be strengthened. Crumbach: “Fewer than ten long-haul destinations are served from our BER airport. In Frankfurt am Main there are more than 100, in Munich almost 60. That’s not what fairness across Germany looks like. I would like to see more momentum for eastern Germany here, and the ILA can certainly help to spark it.”

Brandenburg’s Minister for Science, Dr Manja Schüle, emphasises the importance of science and research in the aerospace sector: “The chesco project at the BTU is an innovation laboratory and a hub for transformation right in the heart of Lusatia. Here, ambitious research is tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time: the development of climate-friendly aircraft propulsion systems. This makes chesco a driving force for the entire region. Working in close coordination with numerous partners both locally and far beyond the region, it provides concrete and relevant answers to pressing questions. In Cottbus, it is impressively evident: investing in innovation is investing in the future.”
 

Background: The Centre for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus, or chesco for short, is a major research and innovation centre at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), which specialises in the development and testing of electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for the future of mobility.

European Innovation Partnership: BTU shapes the future of climate-neutral aviation with

The BTU is strengthening its role as a European pioneer in key future technologies for climate-neutral aviation. Through its research into hybrid-electric propulsion systems, hydrogen technologies, aircraft systems and sustainable mobility, the university is contributing its scientific expertise to a new European innovation partnership.

With the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the State of Brandenburg, the Free State of Saxony and the European Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking at the ILA Berlin 2026 aviation trade fair, the research and innovation structures established in Lusatia will in future be even more closely linked to European activities for the development of low-emission aircraft technologies.

BTU research as a driving force behind the European aviation transformation

Together with partners, BTU is developing and testing technologies that are crucial for the next generation of climate-neutral aircraft. These include:

  • hybrid-electric regional aircraft,
  • hydrogen-powered aircraft,
  • ultra-efficient short- and medium-haul aircraft,
  • as well as innovative aircraft systems and energy storage solutions.

The University is bringing this research together in particular at the Centre for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (chesco) and within the AERO-Lausitz, CircEcon, PtX Lab Lausitz, Smart Mobility Lab and OST4Aviation research network projects.

Lausitz becomes a European hub for innovation

The aim of the collaboration is to pool regional and European expertise and accelerate the development of sustainable aircraft technologies. At the same time, the aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, as well as to create new jobs and training opportunities in regions undergoing structural change.

The participating states of Brandenburg and Saxony are supporting the further expansion of the necessary research and innovation infrastructure in Lusatia, thereby anchoring the region even more firmly in European research and value-added networks.

“For the BTU, this cooperation is an important step towards linking the research structures established in recent years even more closely with European innovation processes. The collaboration opens up new opportunities for joint research and development projects whilst also enhancing Lusatia’s profile as an internationally recognised hub for sustainable aviation technologies,” says Prof. Dr Gesine Grande, President of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg.