Europe’s aviation visionaries gather every few years at a unique summit to shape aviation’s future. This forum, known as Aerodays (short for European Aeronautics Days), has been the European Union’s flagship event for aviation research and innovation since 1991. Held periodically in cities across Europe, Aerodays reflects the continent’s shifting priorities – from early goals of industrial collaboration to today’s drive for sustainable, digital aviation.

2011: A New Horizon

Aerodays 2011 in Madrid re-energized Europe’s commitment to cleaner and more integrated air travel. It showcased EU-funded breakthroughs and championed “innovative approaches to sustainable aviation in a global environment.” The conference aligned with major EU policies like the Single European Sky (to unify airspace) and reinforced that greener aviation had become a core European goal.

2015: Setting Bold Goals

In 2015, Aerodays landed in London – the first time the UK hosted the conference. It gathered over 1,000 delegates and spotlighted “Flightpath 2050,” the EU’s long-term aviation vision. Ambitious targets were front and center: cutting aircraft CO₂ emissions by 75%, reducing noise by 65%, and vastly improving safety and efficiency by 2050. The London edition underscored that sustainability and technological innovation must go hand-in-hand to achieve these goals. Europe’s aerospace industry was making it clear that green innovation was not optional, but the only path forward.

2019–2020: Turning Point

Aerodays 2019, held in Bucharest under the Romanian EU Presidency, came with a new sense of urgency. Climate change dominated the agenda – EU officials stressed that aviation “must do its part” to become as environmentally friendly as possible. Industry leaders warned that conventional aircraft tech was near its limits, calling for a “reinvention” via hybrid-electric propulsion, advanced materials, and digital air traffic management.

A year later, the 2020 edition in Berlin had to adapt to a pandemic. The event went hybrid, with a limited on-site program in Germany and hundreds joining online. Its motto, “Aviation for the Future – Change Is Now!” captured the moment. Despite the crisis, participants focused on bridging current research achievements with the next decade’s needs – reaffirming that the drive for sustainable, smart aviation would press on.

2025: Europe Leads the Sky

Aerodays 2025 in Warsaw marked the return of a full-scale, in-person forum. Under the banner “Europe leading the sky: Sustainability and Competitiveness of Aviation in a Changing World,” it convened over a thousand attendees ranging from CEOs to young engineers. The agenda highlighted twin transformations: the decarbonization and digitalization of aviation. High-level speakers – including EU officials – emphasized that Europe’s climate goals for aviation are also opportunities to innovate and stay competitive.

Crucially, Aerodays 2025 was designed to feed directly into policy: its conclusions were set to help shape EU support for aeronautics R&D in the next research cycle. This showed Aerodays’ growing role not just as a showcase, but as a strategic meeting where industry and policymakers align on the future of flight.

Digital Media and Livestreaming in Aerodays History and Future

Over time, Aerodays has expanded beyond its physical venues by leveraging digital media and live-streaming video to reach a far broader audience. This shift became pivotal in 2020, when the Berlin edition was held as a hybrid event with a limited on-site program and a full online streaming platform for virtual participants. All sessions were broadcast in real time, enabling aviation professionals and enthusiasts worldwide to follow the high-level keynotes and panel discussions from afar. Organizers didn’t just stream video – they built an interactive virtual conference space. Remote attendees could ask questions, respond to live polls, and network through online Q&A sessions. Social media channels further amplified the dialogue, with the hashtag #AeroDays2020 facilitating a global conversation around the event. The result was the most accessible Aerodays to date, dramatically widening participation. Looking ahead, future Aerodays are expected to maintain such hybrid formats – from live-streamed sessions to virtual exhibition halls – to ensure the conference’s reach and inclusivity remain greater than ever.

Conclusion: Guiding Europe’s Flight Path

Throughout its history, Aerodays has been where Europe hashes out how to fly smarter and greener. Each edition mirrored the issues of its time – from early emphasis on collaboration to today’s focus on climate and digital innovation. By uniting researchers, industry, and regulators, Aerodays turns lofty visions into tangible plans. It has become a compass for Europe’s aviation strategy, ensuring the continent’s aerospace sector moves in sync toward a cleaner, more innovative future.