ADM Sevilla once again puts the Andalusian capital on the map of the European aerospace and defense industry . The eighth edition of the Aerospace & Defense Meetings (ADM) is preparing to open its doors at FIBES with a packed agenda of business meetings, technical conferences, and activities designed for large corporations, SMEs, universities, and startups alike.
For three days, Seville will become a meeting point for companies from 30 countries, more than 1.000 professionals, and thousands of B2B meetings , reinforcing its role as the leading aerospace business platform in Spain and one of the most important in Southern Europe. The event comes at a particularly favorable time for the Andalusian sector, which is experiencing a cycle of growth in revenue and exports.
A benchmark event for the aerospace industry
The 8th Aerospace & Defense Meetings – ADM Sevilla is set to begin between Tuesday and Thursday, with figures that position it as an essential event for the aerospace sector . The organizers confirm representation from 30 countries and more than 8.000 pre-arranged business meetings between supplier companies and major national and international contractors.
The event is promoted by the Regional Ministry of Economy, Finance, European Funds and Social Dialogue , through AndalucÃa TRADE , in collaboration with BCI Aerospace. More than 1.000 professionals will gather at the Seville Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) on May 20 and 21 to participate in face-to-face B2B business meetings.
As a prelude to the meetings, on the afternoon of Tuesday the 19th a panel of professional roundtables will be held in which the main players in the aerospace industry of Europe, Spain and Andalusia will analyze the major challenges that the sector faces: sustainable aviation, space development, industrial innovation, as well as defense and cyber defense.
The trade fair will occupy more than 7.000 square meters of exhibition space at FIBES , with 280 stands already confirmed weeks before the event. This physical presence reflects the aerospace value chain's interest in using ADM Sevilla as a platform to close deals, explore new partnerships, and connect with specialized suppliers.
Presence of major international manufacturers and contractors
One of the major attractions of ADM Sevilla 2026 is the strong participation of leading global manufacturers (OEMs). A total of 54 major companies have confirmed their attendance, including such well-known names as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and Lockheed Martin, which account for a significant portion of civil and military aviation programs worldwide.
57% of these top-tier contractors are of foreign origin, which increases the interest of the meeting for Spanish and Andalusian companies that supply the sector , who find here a direct window to integrate or strengthen their role in the international supply chain.
Alongside the major industrial sponsors, other internationally renowned contractors and Tier 1 suppliers have registered, such as Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin (United States); BAE Systems (United Kingdom); Comac (China); ArianeGroup (France); Turkish Aerospace Industries (Turkey); Saab (Sweden) and Leonardo SPA (Italy) , among others, bringing the total to 52 players at this level.
This qualitative weight makes ADM Sevilla a particularly interesting scenario for the European business community, as it allows for accelerating purchasing processes, promoting collaborative projects and opening up opportunities for participation in strategic aeronautical and space programs.
Institutional support and the Andalusian business ecosystem
ADM Sevilla is backed by leading figures in the Spanish and Andalusian aerospace industry. Airbus, the leading European manufacturer in the sector , is the event's main partner. Aciturri, a Tier One supplier specializing in aerostructures, is a platinum sponsor.
The gold category includes Pilatus Aircraft, Akkodis, Sofitec, Capgemini, Turco Española, Aerotecnic and GSC (Grupo Sevilla Control), companies that represent different links in the aerospace value chain: design, engineering, manufacturing, systems integration and advanced services.
Furthermore, the meeting includes the collaboration of the main sector agents from Spain and Andalusia, including the Spanish Association of Technology, Defense, Aeronautics and Space Companies (TEDAE) and the Andalusia Aerospace cluster, which reinforce the positioning of the event as a reference forum for the national industry.
The meeting is also supported by the Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC) and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) , key institutions in promoting innovative projects and consolidating the technological fabric linked to space and unmanned systems.
A growing sector with a strong Andalusian presence
The 8th ADM Sevilla is being held in a particularly favorable context for the Andalusian aerospace industry , which is experiencing one of its best periods in both the civilian and defense sectors. The sector's activity in the region generates €2.914 billion in revenue and employs over 15.000 people, consolidating its position as one of the most important industrial hubs in Southern Europe.
In terms of foreign trade, Andalusia was the second largest Spanish region in aerospace exports in 2025 , with sales worth €2.150 billion. The start of 2026 has been particularly dynamic: in the first two months of the year, exports have almost tripled compared to the same period of the previous year (+165%), reaching €631 million.
This volume represents more than one in three euros (37%) of Spain's aerospace exports worldwide, highlighting the region's leading role in the country. The ADM Sevilla trade fair contributes precisely to maintaining and strengthening this position, facilitating the acquisition of new contracts and international partners.
The event's international scope is one of its greatest strengths: half of the registered companies, some 160 firms, come from 30 countries . In terms of participation, the markets with the largest representation are Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, India, and the United States, reflecting a broad and diverse geographical reach.
Domestically, ADM Sevilla has established itself as a " benchmark event for Spanish industry ," with the participation of 160 companies from eleven autonomous communities. Of these, 44 (27,5%) are from Andalusia, while the remaining 72,5% come from ten other regions, with Madrid, Catalonia, and the Basque Country being the main participating territories.
Territorial distribution of participating Spanish companies
By autonomous community, the list of representatives shows a very distributed map of the aerospace industry in Spain . After Andalusia, which contributes 44 companies, Madrid is the second community with the largest presence, with 34 companies (21,4% of the national total).
Catalonia has 25 companies (15,7%) and the Basque Country 21 (13,2%), reflecting the strength of their aeronautical and technological hubs. The list of participating regions is completed by Castile-La Mancha (13 companies), Castile and León (7), Galicia (6), Navarre (3), Aragon (3), the Valencian Community (2), and Asturias (2).
This distribution shows that ADM Sevilla functions as a major convergence point for the Spanish aerospace fabric , where companies of very diverse size and specialization come together, from large groups to highly technological niche SMEs.
The organization of the VIII Aerospace & Defense Meetings – ADM Sevilla by AndalucÃa TRADE will be co-financed with resources from the European Union , through the ERDF Operational Programme of Andalusia 2021-2027, which fits the event into the community strategy of boosting innovation, industrial competitiveness and internationalization.
Program of lectures, workshops and technical content
Beyond business meetings, ADM Sevilla features a program of high-level conferences and workshops that reinforces its role as a knowledge forum. In total, around 20-21 presentations and technical sessions have been scheduled, focusing on innovation, sustainable aviation, space, defense, and cyber defense.
These sessions will feature 55 renowned specialists from leading companies such as Airbus, Moeve, ITP Aero, GMV, and Akkodis, among others. The speakers will address the major technological and strategic challenges that will shape the future of the sector, combining industrial, institutional, and academic perspectives.
Among the issues to be discussed are disruptive technologies applied to sustainable aviation , the decarbonization of air transport, the new European defense scenario, technological sovereignty in the space sector, and the role that Andalusia and Spain can play in these fields in the coming years.
The event will place special emphasis on talent, digitalization, and technological security as pillars for the future. It will analyze the recruitment and training of highly specialized professionals, the impact of generative artificial intelligence and digital twins on industry, as well as the legal and regulatory challenges associated with these technologies.
Boosting young talent, universities and startups: AeroLabs and Student Day
One of the main new features of this edition is the creation of a dedicated exhibition area for universities and startups , under the AeroLabs brand. The aim is to strengthen collaboration between the business sector, academia, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, in a sector that demands highly qualified professionals and offers stable, high-value-added employment.
The AeroLabs area, dedicated to emerging companies in the aerospace and technology sector, will feature eight startups from Spain, France, Belgium, and India . Confirmed participants include Axirium Aerospace, Fabheads Automation, Cuantico Innovation, Dovetail Electric Aviation, Halo Space Flight, Outrigo International, Coexpair Dynamics, and TotalEnergies Marketing France.
In parallel, a dedicated space has been set up for the first time for schools and universities , culminating in Student Day on May 21. This event aims to introduce students to the aerospace industry and showcase the diverse career paths it offers.
Student Day will bring together seven Andalusian associations and academic entities —ARUS, Vantus (University of Seville), Córdoba Racing Team, Instituto Tecnológico Superior ADA-ITS, Coheteros (ETSi University of Seville), Asociación Fycus and IES San José de la Rinconada—, as well as more than 200 students interested in engineering, technology and space.
With these initiatives, ADM Sevilla reinforces its role not only as a business fair, but also as a platform connecting industry, training and entrepreneurship , making it easier for young talent to learn firsthand about the needs and challenges of companies.
Overall, ADM Sevilla 2026 is establishing itself as a major showcase for the aerospace and defense industry in Spain and Europe , combining business, innovation, and training. The participation of 320 companies from 30 countries, more than 8.000 business meetings, the presence of major international contractors, and the promotion of talent and startups make Seville a key hub for a strategic sector that looks to the future with ambition and a strong industrial base in Andalusia.
