Sydney to host prestigious ICAS2026 Aeronautical Sciences Congress

The organising committee for the 2026 Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS2026) has officially confirmed Sydney as the host city for this global event, scheduled to take place from 13–18 September 2026 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) on Darling Harbour.

This marks the return of ICAS to Australia for the first time since 2012, providing a unique platform for over 1,000 aerospace leaders, researchers, and innovators from more than 35 countries to gather, collaborate, and shape the future of aeronautical sciences.

ICAS2026 is expected to draw expertise from both traditional northern hemisphere leaders and also a significant contingent from Asia, particularly south-east Asia and the Pacific Islands.

“Our Asian friends and neighbours are dancing on the leading edge of many of these technologies as well, and ICAS2026 is a wonderful opportunity for our technical community as a whole to share its knowledge and become greater than the sum of its parts,” said Professor Nick Lawson of the University of Sydney, CEO of ICAS2026.

This landmark event will shine a spotlight on Australia’s cutting-edge contributions to aeronautical science and engineering while fostering international collaboration on critical issues such as clean propulsion technologies, autonomy and robotics, and hypersonics. As a gateway to Asia-Pacific innovation and expertise, Sydney is the perfect venue to host this prestigious forum and showcase the strength of Australia’s aerospace sector to the world.

 A Legacy of Success: Building on ICAS2024 in Florence

ICAS2026 follows the highly successful ICAS2024, held in Florence, Italy, in September 2024. ICAS2024 featured some 1,250 participants from nearly 40 countries. The Australian organising team from the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Australian Division, in partnership with MCI Australia, attended and is working to build on its success.

“ICAS2024 in Florence was a tremendous success,” said Professor Lawson. “It set the stage perfectly for the aeronautical challenges we’ll tackle in Sydney, including clean propulsion technologies and improving efficiency in both crewed and uncrewed flight. We’ve learned valuable lessons from Florence, which will help us deliver an exceptional event in 2026.”

 An Unmissable Global Opportunity

Sydney’s hosting of ICAS2026 highlights Australia’s position as a global hub for aerospace innovation. “This Congress provides an extraordinary platform to showcase Australia’s world-class aerospace research and engineering expertise,” said Geoff Wilkinson, Past President of the RAeS Australian Division. “It’s also an opportunity to foster connections between Australia’s industry leaders and international partners, particularly across the Asia-Pacific region, where many nations are at the forefront of emerging technologies.”

Founded in 1957 by renowned aerodynamicist Theodore von Karman, ICAS is a non-profit organisation facilitating the global exchange of aeronautical research and innovation. With participation from more than 30 countries, the ICAS Congress offers a unique forum for scientists, engineers, and emerging companies to share ideas and build international networks.

The last ICAS Congress held in Australia was in Brisbane in 2012. Since then, it has been hosted around the world including in St. Petersburg, Daejeon, Belo Horizonte, Shanghai, Stockholm, and Florence.

Secure Your Space and Showcase Your Brand

ICAS2026 offers an exceptional opportunity to connect with a global audience of researchers, technologists, government leaders, and industry professionals. With 1,000+ attendees from 35+ countries, sponsorship and exhibition packages provide unparalleled visibility for your brand.

In 2025 we’ll be calling for abstracts, so take advantage of a range of options and position your organisation as a leader in the aerospace sector, expand your network, and engage with key decision-makers shaping the future of aeronautical science.

View the ICAS2026 Partnership Prospectus

Let’s work together to make ICAS2026 the centrepiece of your 2026 strategic initiatives.