Student excursion: ILA 2024

For over ten years, the ZARM e.V. support association, in cooperation with AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V., the University of Bremen, Bremen University of Applied Sciences and the EUROAVIA Association, has been organising a study trip to the ILA.

The ILA 2024 is one of the largest aerospace trade fairs in Europe and took place this year in Berlin in June under the motto “Pioneering Aerospace”. The excursion took place from 5 to 6 June 2024.

The excursion was aimed at 70+ students from the “Master Space Engineering” and “Master Systems Engineering” programmes at the University of Bremen and the “Master of Aerospace Technologies” programme at Bremen University of Applied Sciences with the aim of showing the young adults the range of job prospects in the aeronautics and space sector.

The trip was made possible almost entirely thanks to the financial support of the following aerospace companies:

These include

– Atlas Air Service AG

– b.r.m. IT & Aerospace GmbH

– DSI Aerospace GmbH

– ECOMAT e.V. (tickets)

– Hanseatische Waren Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG

– IABG – Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH (Tickets)

– OHB System AG

– rg-asc aerostructure consulting

– WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH (Tickets)

– ZARM Technology

Welcome speech by Holger W. Oelze (CEO ZARM TECHNIK and Managing Director AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V., on the right) and
Ken Matsubara (EUROAVIA Bremen board member, on the left) (© AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V./ Justin v. Glahn)

Holger W. Oelze, CEO ZARM TECHNIK and Managing Director AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V.: “Promoting excursions for our students is invaluable for their professional development and the future of the space industry in Germany and Europe. ILA Berlin offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the latest technologies and research. We thank the sponsors for inspiring and encouraging the next generation of aerospace professionals!”

The students were enthusiastic: “As an aerospace engineering student, it was an incredible experience for me to spend a day at the ILA air show. The opportunity to experience the latest developments and innovations in the industry up close has further fuelled my enthusiasm for my subject,” said Christopher Grün, student, Space Engineering (2nd semester), at the University of Bremen.

The co-operation with young students and EUROAVIA is also of unbeatable value for the companies. EUROAVIA operates its own website on which companies can advertise internships and job vacancies. “We are the engineers of the future, which is why we are very interested in cooperating with local and national companies,” emphasised Ken Matsubara, EUROAVIA Bremen board member and co-organiser of the student excursion at the ILA.

Ken is studying Aerospace Technologies at Bremen University of Applied Sciences, which is the counterpart to Space Engineering, which Christopher is studying at the University of Bremen. At the ILA, he has already been able to expand his network with a number of companies and establish collaborations with EUROAVIA Bremen to bring students closer to industry. “So it’s a win-win situation,” concludes Ken Matsubara.

The companies are supporting the trip to give the students valuable insights into the aeronautics and space industry and pave the way for future career opportunities. This not only promotes the students’ professional development, but also strengthens the links between academic institutions and industry.

AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. and EUROAVIA would like to thank all donors for their generous support and are already looking forward to ILA 2026.

Visit to the OHB stand (© AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V./ Justin v. Glahn).

The students learnt about career opportunities in the space hall at the ILA (© AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V./ Justin v. Glahn)

Group photo at Rocket Factory Augsburg (© AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V./ Justin v. Glahn)

The students at the ILA flight display (© AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V./ Justin v. Glahn)

About Bremen Bremerhaven – CITY OF AEROSPACE

Aeronautics and space sectors are the central key industries in the German federal state of Bremen as part of the innovation strategy of the German federal state of Bremen 2030 and markets themselves under the claim Bremen Bremerhaven – CITY OF AEROSPACE. Four organizations in the German federal state of Bremen work together to implement the operational goals of the innovation strategy Bremen 2030.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation creates the financial and organizational framework for the design and implementation of the aeronautics and space industries strategy.

AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. oversees the network and participation in innovation projects necessary for the implementation of the operational goals of the innovation strategy.

The Bremer Aufbau-Bank GmbH (BAB) as state development bank, handles the German federal state of Bremen aeronautics and space research program. BAB Starthaus supports startups and young companies and integrates them into the startup ecosystem of the state of Bremen.

WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH supports the activities of the Bremen Bremerhaven CITY OF AEROSPACE through trade fair and event organization. The claim BremenInvest fosters the internationalization of the industry. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) supports companies with questions relating to innovation and internationalization.