Visiting the Amsterdam Aviation Collectors Fair

AMSTERDAM — On Sunday, February 22, Airways attended the 8th edition of the Amsterdam Aviation Collector Fair take place in Amsterdam. Held annually, this event is a must for all aviation enthusiasts, plane model collectors, aircraft parts, and much more!

The fair took place at the Van der Valk Hotel A4 Schiphol, Hoofddorp, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, covering 2,500 square metres. 167 exhibitors were present, with 382 tables, much to the delight of visitors, who numbered 1,582 last year. Airways was present at this year's event. Here is a brief overview of this well-known trade fair.

A major event for collectors, enthusiasts

The AACF was born out of a desire to bring together enthusiasts of all ages in one place to share their passion. 

The fair was created by Patrick van Rooijen, Rutger van Hasselt, and Arjan Vaarwater, who had been attending aviation collectors' fairs since the early 1990s, both as exhibitors and visitors. The arrival of the internet in the late 1990s transformed collectors' consumption and purchasing habits. Physical fairs gave way to online buying and selling, especially among the younger generations. 

Noting the gradual decline of major trade shows dedicated to aviation collectibles, they believed that these events remained the best way to bring together enthusiasts from around the world to discuss and share their common love of aviation. Their project then took shape: to launch a large-scale exhibition in the Netherlands that would bring together both experienced collectors and the new generation, inspired by European benchmarks in the sector.

To achieve this ambition, Rutger and Patrick created the Aviation Collectors Association with a specific goal: to preserve the human and face-to-face dimension of aviation collecting by organising dedicated physical meetings.

This is how the Amsterdam Aviation Collectors Fair was born, now considered one of the most important international fairs dedicated to aviation-related collectibles, bringing together more than 250 two-metre tables where a variety of items are bought, sold, and exchanged.

A wide variety of collectibles

There are many types of collectibles available at the AACF. First, and by far the most popular, are plane models. They are available in every scale imaginable (1/600; 1/500; 1/400; 1/200, and even 1/100 and beyond), and all brands (Herpa Wings, Gemini Jet, NG Models, JC Wings, etc.). Whether new or used, you'll find all the world's major airlines, manufacturers, and aircraft models. You can also find accessories such as miniature airport vehicles, buildings, walkways, in short, everything you need to create your own airport dioramas!

There are also many sellers of aircraft parts, such as seats, fuselage parts, landing gear lights, pressure gauges, and even trolleys. Safety cars, amenity kits, and dedicated books are also popular items traded and sold at the show.

Finally, you can also find scans of vintage aircraft photos. The stands are easy to spot, as you can usually see potential buyers with loupes inspecting scan after scan! The fair offers real opportunities for visitors and exhibitors to trade and resell items, some of which are rare or difficult to find outside of large physical gatherings. It's up to visitors to have a keen eye to spot them.

This gathering of experts and specialists fosters a unique, friendly atmosphere, where technical exchanges and passionate discussions are at the heart of the experience: you will meet both long-time collectors and young enthusiasts, proof of the intergenerational transmission that drives this community.

The next and 9th edition will be next year, on the 21 of February 2027, at the Van der Valk Hotel A4 Schiphol, near Schiphol Airport. Tickets are available on the AACF website (https://aviationfair.com/) for 7 euros, and you can also book tables if you have some collectibles to sell as well.

In just a few years, the Amsterdam Aviation Collectors Fair has established itself as much more than just a trade show: it is now a must-attend event for the international community of aviation enthusiasts. Through its scale, the diversity of its exhibitors, and the quality of the discussions it facilitates, the event demonstrates that aviation collecting remains as vibrant as ever in the digital age.

Beyond transactions and rare items, it is above all the human experience that leaves a strong impression on visitors: unexpected encounters, conversations between enthusiasts... Aviation passion is not yet confined to the screen; it also thrives in these spaces where people meet and share it together.