Egypt brings aerospace to El Alamein: the US, the EU, Russia and Turkey are all present

From 8 to 10 September, El Alamein, on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, will once again take centre stage in the aerospace and defence sector with the second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow (EIAS 2026), an event that promises to be even larger than the first edition, covering both the civil and military sectors. The event is taking place under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and with the full institutional involvement of the Ministry of Defence, the Egyptian Air Force, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Egyptian Space Agency and EgyptAir. The second edition was officially launched in Cairo, where the Minister for Civil Aviation, Sameh Hefni, described the synergy between the civil and military sectors as ‘a model to follow’, whilst the Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, Abdel Rahman Sakr, linked the event to the national vision of an economy based on innovation and advanced industries.

The organisers are expecting over 250 exhibitors from around 50 countries, a significant increase compared with the inaugural edition in 2024. The event is expected to attract around 12,000 trade visitors, with more than 100 civil and military aircraft on display and over 50 air shows scheduled over the three days of the fair. The programme also includes a symposium on space technologies on 7 September, attended by politicians, executives and representatives of major international groups.

In terms of corporate participation, Italia will be represented by Leonardo, whilst the United States will be represented by seven companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, as well as ATC Aviation Services North America. Next come the United Arab Emirates with seven companies, Russia with four, Turkey with four (including Turkish Aerospace Industries), China and Saudi Arabia with three each, and India with two participants. France is the most heavily represented European country, with Dassault (manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jets), Thales and the pan-European MBDA, whilst San Marino is also represented by Jetavia. The majority of the stands, around 28, will, however, be occupied by Egyptian companies, a sign of the host country’s desire to promote its own national industrial sector.

The initiative aims to consolidate the El Alamein platform as an international meeting point for companies, institutions and decision-makers in the aviation and advanced technologies sectors, against a backdrop of growing instability in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, Egypt is asserting its role as a regional stabilising force, positioning the trade fair as a tool for soft power and for attracting investment in the aerospace and defence sectors. Recent confirmations of participation from the United States, South Korea, France and China, announced by the organisers, confirm the international community’s growing interest in the September event.