The countdown to Airshow China 2026 has begun in Zhuhai, with the 16th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition scheduled for December 7–13, 2026.
A launch event held on August 28 marked the beginning of the exhibition’s 100-day countdown and its 30th-anniversary programme. The official countdown started on August 29, when landmarks across Zhuhai were illuminated to promote the upcoming aviation and aerospace event.
Airshow China was established in 1996. The 2026 edition will be the first seven-day edition of the biennial exhibition, extending the event by one day compared with its previous format.
The official event website provides separate registration and information sections for exhibitors, professional visitors, general visitors, business-matching participants and media.
Airshow China unveils 30th-anniversary programme
Organizers unveiled a commemorative logo at the countdown event to mark three decades of Airshow China.
The gold-toned “30” incorporates visual elements associated with aviation equipment and industrial manufacturing, accompanied by blue, purple and magenta ribbons. The launch begins a wider series of anniversary activities leading up to the December exhibition.
Airshow China began in 1996 with an indoor exhibition area of approximately 8,000 square metres and participants from 25 countries and regions. The event has since expanded into a major international platform for aircraft, aerospace technology, defence equipment and advanced manufacturing.
Zhuhai municipal official Li Xiaodong said the exhibition would continue developing its international, professional and commercial functions while supporting aviation-industry clusters. Organizers also intend to use the anniversary edition to expand cooperation between aviation companies, manufacturers, research organizations and service providers.
The Zhuhai countdown-event report said the fair now attracts participants from more than 40 countries and regions.
World Airshow Dialogue examines aviation supply chains
The countdown programme included a World Airshow Dialogue bringing together aviation companies, event organizers and industry representatives.
Discussions covered global aviation supply-chain coordination, green aviation, the low-altitude economy, aircraft-engine aftermarket services and general aviation development. These areas are expected to influence the exhibition’s B2B programme in December.
Representatives of the MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon and Boeing contributed video messages. Boeing representatives said they expected the 2026 exhibition to provide a platform for presenting civil aviation products and related services.
The discussions around supply chains and aftermarket services are particularly relevant to international component suppliers, maintenance companies, technology providers and distributors seeking partnerships with Chinese aviation businesses.
AVIC and Embraer discuss aircraft and low-altitude aviation
Dai Haibin, spokesperson for AVIC General Aircraft, discussed Airshow China’s role in introducing new aircraft and equipment to the market.
Examples include the AG600 Kunlong amphibious aircraft, which has appeared at previous editions of the Zhuhai exhibition. The aircraft has become one of the most prominent Chinese aviation programmes associated with the event.
Xu Shixin, Chief Operating Officer of Embraer China, highlighted potential cooperation in green aviation and China’s developing low-altitude economy.
Embraer is interested in deeper collaboration related to electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and the wider low-altitude transport ecosystem, according to remarks delivered during the roundtable.
The low-altitude economy is likely to be an important theme at Airshow China 2026, covering areas such as eVTOL aircraft, drones, general aviation, supporting infrastructure, air-traffic systems and commercial applications.
Countdown event produces technology and IP partnerships
The programme also included cooperation agreements between Zhuhai Airshow International Culture Communication and several academic, technology and commercial partners.
Participants included Beijing Institute of Technology Zhuhai, Alipay Digital Service Technology and companies involved in cultural and intellectual-property development.
The agreements cover aerospace-themed merchandise, products combining traditional culture with aviation technology and AI-supported digital commemorative tickets using NFC technology. Additional projects will develop products based on science-fiction and aviation intellectual property.
Although these agreements sit outside the exhibition’s core aircraft and aerospace programme, they show how the organizer is extending the Airshow China brand into digital ticketing, visitor engagement and licensed merchandise.
December exhibition targets international aviation cooperation
Airshow China 2026 will provide exhibition, flight-display, conference and business-matching opportunities for aircraft manufacturers, aerospace companies, component suppliers, maintenance providers and technology developers.
The countdown dialogue indicates that the December programme will extend beyond equipment displays to include green aviation, advanced air mobility, aviation services and international supply-chain cooperation.
Professional visitors can use the official Airshow China website to access registration, B2B meeting and exhibitor information as it becomes available.
The exhibition will take place from December 7 to 13 at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center in Guangdong Province.
Source: Media OutReach Newswire’s Airshow China countdown report. Dates verified through the official Airshow China website, with additional event details from Zhuhai Media Group and Science and Technology Daily.
