CapeWeek Launches at the Kennedy Space Center to Compete with Le Bourget

U.S. President Donald Trump officially launched CapeWeek, a new international aerospace trade show designed to openly compete with the European giants—the Paris Air Show and the Farnborough International Airshow. Announced on November 6 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, alongside NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and aerospace entrepreneur Cyrus Sigari, this event aims to establish itself as the world’s largest gathering in the sector by bringing together commercial aviation, defense technologies, and space exploration.

Scheduled to take place annually, the first edition of CapeWeek is set for March 27 through April 2, 2028. The event will take place on the former space shuttle landing strip, a 4,572-meter-long facility spanning approximately 769 hectares and operated by Space Florida. The week-long event will feature separate programs: the first three days will be dedicated to business meetings between industry leaders, investors, and government representatives, followed by a trade show from March 29 to 31, and concluding with two days of public presentations and flight demonstrations.

The organizers aim to bring together civil aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, defense contractors, space companies, and pioneers in advanced air mobility and autonomous technologies. The administration has released projections forecasting attendance of more than 500,000 visitors per event and an estimated economic impact of approximately $5 billion over ten years, although specific financial commitments and the actual level of industry participation have yet to be confirmed. This strategic positioning comes as the site simultaneously hosts the MAX POWER technology event, underscoring the United States’ commitment to providing its industry with a major annual global showcase.