AERO South Africa 2023 – right place – right time

The 3rd edition of AERO South Africa concluded with a very positive impact on the Southern African general aviation sector. The event was held at the Wonderboom National Airport in the City of Tshwane and attracted 60 exhibitors including leading aircraft manufacturers and distributors as well as manufacturers of parts and accessories. The event also attracted 2981 trade visitors from 21 countries. The most notable outcome of AERO South Africa 2023 was a highly relevant visitor audience, evident through the high satisfaction rate of the exhibitors with the quality of the event attendees and their expected post-show business as a result of meetings held during the event. For the first time, the exhibitor satisfaction on visitor numbers and quality surpassed 90% in each category.

In consultation with the major stakeholders, the visitor profile of the event had been refined to include more trade visitors, aircraft owners and operators as well as pilots. "AERO SA is a great business-oriented event. We get very good value from exhibiting at the show." Said one of the regular exhibitors, DJ Aviation. "This expo is great for our local economy and I would like to see us harness that." Said one of the trade visitors, D Theron.

AERO South Africa 2023 had opened on the 6th of July with Diplomats from 22 countries alongside high-ranking officials from the City of Tshwane, City of Joburg and City of Cape Town. The general aviation industry now has a firmly established annual meeting platform that will grow to fully represent the Southern African market.

Building on the success of the 2023 edition, AERO South Africa has already begun planning for the 3rd to the 5th of July 2024 event. The organizers are committed to further refining the visitor profile and expanding the exhibitor base, with a focus on attracting more international participants and showcasing the latest innovations in the general aviation sector.

The event also served as a platform for important discussions on the future of aviation in Southern Africa, as well as a youth development program. These conversations are expected to shape the direction of the industry in the coming years. The organizers would like to express their gratitude to all exhibitors, visitors, and partners for their participation and support in making AERO South Africa 2023 a resounding success.

They look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Wonderboom National Airport from the 3rd to the 5th of July 2024 for another exciting edition of AERO South Africa.

In the meantime, the general aviation industry in Southern Africa will continue to thrive and grow, bolstered by the connections made and the insights gained at AERO South Africa 2023. The event has truly established itself as the premier platform for the industry, and the future looks bright for aviation in the region.