Trump and NASA Unveil CapeWeek, a Florida Air Show Meant to Rival Paris and Dubai

The event will open in March 2028 and is meant to give the United States a rival to the major industry gatherings held abroad, including the Paris and Farnborough air shows and the Dubai Airshow, which draw thousands of executives, government officials and engineers. Trump said in a speech that it would start in two years. The plan follows the White House's call in September for space companies to stay away from a high-profile global space summit in Paris organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, Reuters reported.

For the Gulf, the plan adds a US-government-backed competitor for the exhibitors, buyers and order announcements that shows such as Dubai's compete for. Organisers say they want CapeWeek to become an American venue for major product launches and commercial deals.

According to a press release from the organisers, CapeWeek will run from March 27 to April 2, 2028, on the 15,001-foot former Space Shuttle landing runway at Kennedy. It is being developed by NASA, the State of Florida, Space Florida, the state's aerospace finance and development authority, and the CapeWeek organisation. Space Florida operates the venue under an agreement with NASA.

The programme combines a leadership forum for executives, investors and officials, an international industry exhibition, and public days with flight demonstrations, an air show and technology displays. Its stated scope goes beyond aircraft and rockets to defence, energy, autonomy, robotics, advanced mobility and "superintelligence", with exhibits such as fighter jets, autonomous ships, electric vehicles and delivery drones.

The organisers say the event is designed to grow to serve more than 500,000 people a year. An initial analysis benchmarked against major aerospace shows estimates about $5 billion in economic impact for Florida over the first decade, including year-round development the event anchors, the release said.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said: "America should have a place where the people building the future can come together with the public that inspires and supports them." Rob Long, president and chief executive of Space Florida, said CapeWeek "will bring the world's customers, capital, and talent here for one week a year." Florida Governor-elect Byron Donalds and Air Force Secretary Troy Meink also backed the plan in the release.

The announcement was made alongside MAX POWER, a two-day NASA aerospace expo and air show at Kennedy on November 7 and 8. Organisers have not yet named exhibitors or international participants for the 2028 debut; industry sign-ups are being handled through the event's website.