FIAA 2026 Strengthens Its International Leadership and Sets the Course for 2028

FIAA 2026 turned IFEMA MADRID into the meeting point for the bus and coach industry, bringing together 10,859 visitors and nearly 80 accredited journalists from 21 countries over three days. The event also recorded a 46% increase in international attendance, attracting visitors from 83 countries and further strengthening its global reach and growing international profile.

The exhibition featured 110 exhibiting companies, which means an 18% increase compared with the 2024 edition and a 42% rise over 2022. 35 companies took part for the first time. International exhibitors accounted for 30% of the total, while overseas participation grew by 50% compared with the previous edition.

The conference programme once again proved one of the event’s main attractions. More than 1,000 professionals attended the sessions, debates and round tables held at the FIAA Forum, highlighting its role as a platform for strategic discussion, knowledge exchange and industry insight on the future of passenger mobility.

Electrification, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence to Shape FIAA 2026

FIAA 2026 placed the key challenges transforming passenger transport at the center of the debate, including decarbonization, digitalization, artificial intelligence, connectivity and operational efficiency. Manufacturers, operators, tech suppliers, aftermarket specialists and institutional representatives shared solutions and strategies aimed at accelerating the sector’s transformation.

Electrification and sustainability dominated the exhibition floor, with highlights including Daimler Buses’ eIntouro M, the company’s first electric intercity coach; the European debut of IVECO BUS’s eFLEXY Line minibus and CROSSWAY ELEC; and the integrated mobility offering presented by REMO and HIGER, combining electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy solutions and aftermarket services. Other notable launches included the 15-metre Irizar i3 electric and ie tram Efficient, the Solaris Urbino 15 LE electric designed for interurban routes, Karsan’s e-JEST, e-ATAK and e-ATA 12 LE, the Avenue Neo from TEMSA, HIGER’s intelligent operations platform G-BOS, and the Marcopolo Paradiso G8, the manufacturer’s first fully electric vehicle developed for the European market. Setra also celebrated its 75th anniversary with the S 516 HDH, recently named Coach of the Year 2026.

The professional programme also addressed the industry’s most pressing challenges. The FIAA Forum hosted discussions on operational profitability, sustainability and technological innovation, while initiatives such as the Sustainable Bus Tour 2026 and the Transport Round Table explored the energy transition and cooperation between public authorities, operators and manufacturers.

Among the edition’s key milestones were the presentation of the Sustainable Bus Awards 2027, recognizing Solaris, BYD and Irizar in their respective categories; a tribute to Antonio Bautista and the formal establishment of the award bearing his name; and the industry debate “What Will the Next Generation of Buses Look Like?”, where Daimler Buses, IVECO BUS, Solaris and Irizar shared their vision for the future of passenger mobility.

The final day focused on the application of artificial intelligence in public transport and on female leadership within the sector, highlighting the technologies and talent expected to shape the next stage of passenger mobility.

In addition, the Global Mobility Call (GMC) workshop highlighted the role of buses as a key pillar of the mobility ecosystem, underlining their contribution to a more sustainable, connected and integrated transport model.

An Industry Ready to Lead the Future of Mobility

FIAA has further strengthened its position as one of the leading international showcases for an industry undergoing deep transformation.

Over three days, the industry showed its progress towards more sustainable, connected and efficient mobility solutions. IFEMA MADRID is already preparing the next edition, aiming to build on the momentum generated by this continued evolution.