The air charter industry gathering will return to Biggin Hill next September, and will also expand into Europe with the launch of ACE Regional – Europe at AERO Friedrichshafen.
More than 2,200 people registered for Air Charter Expo (ACE’26) at London Biggin Hill airport on 8 September, surpassing last year’s record numbers.
The event, organised by the Air Charter Association (ACA) in partnership with Business Air News and London Biggin Hill airport, featured an expanded aircraft static display, a new pavilion offering additional networking space and a reconfigured conference zone.
More than 20 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft were on display, including a Dassault Falcon 6X, Gulfstream G700, Embraer 135 and Saab 2000, with attendees given the opportunity to go on board the aircraft.
The conference opened with ACA chief executive Glenn Hogben and AERO Friedrichshafen show director Tobias Bretzel introducing ACE Regional – Europe, a new exhibition which will launch from 14-16 April 2027 as part of AERO Friedrichshafen.
Hogben says: “Each year Air Charter Expo continues to set new attendance records, which is testament to the value and impact of the show in the air charter industry. London Biggin Hill airport is a fantastic venue as the established home of ACE, and we look forward to another successful expo in September next year.
“In the meantime, we are excited about the expansion in April 2027, to introduce an additional exhibition, ACE Regional – Europe in partnership with Business Air News, at AERO Friedrichshafen, with the aim of delivering a new European hub for the air charter industry, building upon the success of ACE.”
The conference included sessions examining the state of the market in 2026 across the business aviation, rotary, commercial and cargo sectors. MaceAero CEO and The ACA board member Chris Mace moderated a panel discussion on the viability of smaller aircraft charter operations. Hunt & Palmer head of executive aviation and ACA board member Julie Black also hosted an innovation fireside chat examining how technology and innovation can support the future of flight.
London Biggin Hill airport commercial director Robert Walters says: “ACE continues to be an unmissable event in the business aviation calendar, bringing together expertise from across the sector at London Biggin Hill Airport. This year’s record attendance demonstrates the value of meeting face-to-face and exchanging ideas to better the industry. We look forward to welcoming the air charter community back again next year.”
