In September 2026, General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) will put a major focus on Africa. With two trade show appearances, the German aircraft manufacturer is highlighting the strategic importance of the African continent for the Do228 NXT. The company will exhibit at El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt (September 8-10, 2026) and the Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) Expo in South Africa (September 16-20, 2026).
Strategic Focus on High-Potential Market
By focusing on the second-largest continent, GA-ATS underscores the importance of Africa and the Middle East as a large and growing market for the new Do228 NXT turboprop aircraft.
In Africa, the Do228 has a long and proven operational history with over 30 different operators in nearly 20 different countries. To this day, the Do228 serves as a vital platform for connecting remote areas, landing at unpaved airfields, STOL operations and conducting demanding operations under harsh conditions. With the new Do228 NXT, this success story continues. GA-ATS has developed a modern and reliable aircraft that is ideally suited to the operational requirements in Africa. The Do228 NXT is capable of performing passenger and cargo transport missions, border surveillance operations, search and rescue missions, medical evacuations and reconnaissance flights. This offers operators the key advantage of being able to carry out multiple missions with a single aircraft.
First Trade Show Appearances in Egypt and South Africa
In September 2026, the German aircraft manufacturer will make its debut at trade shows in Africa – with two appearances within a month.
First, the Do228 NXT Demonstrator aircraft will be on static display at the El Alamein International Airshow (September 8-10, 2026) at El Alamein International Airport in Egypt. This will mark the first time the aircraft appears on static display outside of Europe, after it had already generated significant interest among customers, delegations and industry professionals at ILA Berlin 2026 and Farnborough International Airshow.
Just one week later, GA-ATS will have a large booth at the Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) Expo in South Africa (September 16-20, 2026). The company will be located in Hangar 1 at Booth 1CW6.
The two appearances at international trade shows in Africa mark the beginning of a broader strategic focus on the continent, where the new Do228 NXT aircraft has significant market opportunities and enormous potential for deployment.