For three decades the European Aeronautics Days (Aerodays) have been the leading event in aviation research and innovation, mirroring the priorities and strategies set within the European Union Research Framework Programmes. The 8th edition of Aerodays supported and co-funded by the European Commission, builds on the achievements of Horizon 2020, the biggest EU research and innovation programme to date, and it is based on a new approach with two integrated events organized in Romania, in 2019, and Germany, in 2020, while Bucharest is the first Aerodays host in Central and Eastern Europe. Coordinated under a synergic concept, TandemAEROdays19.20 these two events will provide a solid platform to share and review the latest developments in aeronautics and air transport across the EU, further strengthening its leadership on a highly competitive and strategic international market. With the objective to reinforce the academic, research and industrial network from all EU Member States, TandemAEROdays19.20 will tap on the diverse expertise and tradition of each participant, broadening the access to all interested parties, from big industry, policy makers, research, academia, innovative start-ups and resourceful small and medium-sized enterprises to students focused on aeronautical engineering and researchers involved in projects that will shape the future of aviation and space exploration.
The main objectives for the Bucharest event were to:
- Pay specific attention to a broad and balanced participation of students, young researchers, with respect to gender equality, large number of (EU13) Member States representatives: AEROdays 2019 attracted women in proportion of 30% (248 female registrations of a total of 857 registered participants); a total number of 431 (50% of total) EU 13 participants; students with reduced fee
- Acknowledge current development process in the aeronautical industry in Eastern Europe: broad participation in sessions (plenary, technical) and in exposition.
- Promote regional policies for research and education in aeronautics: participation of research and academia in the region
- Facilitate the participation of Eastern European countries (EU13) to high-level events: the location gave the opportunity to the Romanian aeronautical players to participate in high number and facilitated the participation of other EU 13 countries, with low participation to the previous AEROdays events, all organized in Western Europe.
- Provide excellent opportunity towards regional synergies
The main objectives for the Berlin event were to:
- Pay specific attention to a broad and balanced participation of e.g. students, young researchers, women, large number of EU Member States representatives: the attendance to the #AeroDays2020 FORUM was possible without having to pay any fee to specifically attract students and young researchers. The participation of women was around 25%. Although a large number of participants came from Germany (597 of 1418), the participation from other EU countries was remarkable (660).
- Promote regional policies for research and education in aeronautics
- Ensure high political and strategic relevance
- Provide excellent opportunity towards regional synergies
- Establish synergy effects in cooperation with the International Air Show (ILA), attracting even more participants
