Overall impression and outlook InnoTrans 2024

It occupied all the exhibition halls and the entire outdoor and track area of the Exhibition Grounds of Messe Berlin and offered the largest exhibition space since InnoTrans was founded in 1996. ‘InnoTrans 2024 was a real record-breaking trade fair - both in terms of exhibition space and visitor numbers. Around 170,000 visitors from 133 countries came to the Exhibition Grounds of Messe Berlin this year - so we were once again able to increase the pre-corona level in terms of visitor numbers and internationality. InnoTrans has impressively demonstrated that it is the world's leading trade fair for transport technology and mobility,’ says Dirk Hoffmann, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin.




‘InnoTrans was once again the event of the global railway industry,’ said InnoTrans Director Kerstin Schulz. ‘With a firework display of innovations and 226 world premieres, the trade fair attracted visitors from all over the world.’ The 2,940 exhibitors from 59 countries presented their latest products and services in the five trade fair segments Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction. The trade fair became even more international this year. Around 600 new exhibitors took part - and with them new countries such as Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa. Exhibitors from all over the world presented 133 vehicles on the 3,500 metres of track. In the Bus Display in the Summer Garden, trade visitors were able to experience eleven buses in live operation on a 500 metre long circuit.




The main topics at this year's trade fair were sustainability, electrification, digitalisation and, above all, artificial intelligence. ‘AI is also becoming increasingly important in the transport industry,’ says InnoTrans Director Kerstin Schulz. InnoTrans took this development into account with the new exhibition area, the AI Mobility Lab. ‘This was exactly the right decision. The demand for AI-based solutions and cybersecurity was enormous,’ reports Schulz. 42 exhibitors from 17 countries presented their expertise in AI, robotics, data protection and cybersecurity. The next InnoTrans will take place at the Exhibition Grounds of Messe Berlin from 22 to 25 September 2026.







What exhibitors had to say about InnoTrans 2024:
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility: ‘We are delighted with this year's InnoTrans in Berlin - the trade fair was a great success. We were able to show thousands of visitors and customers how Siemens Xcelerator uses standardised interfaces to digitally connect data from our products, operators and ecosystem partners in new ways. In this way, we are promoting ground-breaking innovations that make rail transport the most sustainable, convenient and cost-efficient transport solution. InnoTrans offers us the perfect setting for personal dialogue and joint progress.’

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom: “This InnoTrans 2024, we saw how the industry is actively responding to the rapidly evolving transportation needs of the world. I am grateful for the many visitors from around the globe, particularly Alstom’s customers and partners, who took the time to exchange with us. We were proud to showcase the innovation from our 84,000 talented employees, working together to make transportation clean, efficient, smart, reliable, enjoyable and accessible for all. The challenges we face – climate change, rapid urbanisation, and a changing technological landscape – need a united approach and we are well are on the way. InnoTrans 2024 has confirmed my optimism about the future.”

Dr Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG: ‘More rail in Germany and Europe and therefore more climate protection can only be achieved together. That's why the dialogue within the industry at InnoTrans is so important. With innovative approaches and digital technologies and with tangible improvements for our passengers in terms of trains, connections and integrated public transport services, we at DB are taking responsibility for a strong railway.’

Markus Bernsteiner, Group CEO of Stadler: ‘InnoTrans 2024 was a great success for Stadler. At our stand, we were able to present our innovative strength for modern rail vehicles and customised signalling and service solutions to our guests and customers. With eight vehicle concepts, we once again demonstrated our commitment to sustainable, safe and reliable mobility. We look forward to the upcoming projects and partnerships that will emerge from this successful week at the trade fair.’




Enno Wiebe, General Director, UNIFE (European railway industry): “The largest ever InnoTrans has impressively demonstrated the capabilities of the rail supply industry, and the role it will play in delivering the railway system of the future. With fair international competition and a level playing field with other modes - alongside ensuring the necessary financial means and migration paths - we can continue to successfully deploy what has been presented here in Berlin, the capital of the Future of Mobility.”

Dr Heike van Hoorn, Managing Director of the German Transport Forum (DVF): ‘InnoTrans is always an impressive showcase, a class reunion for the industry and a source of encouragement in difficult times. The latter was particularly important this time because we were once again able to realise how much is in motion and how modern the railways are. If we finally unleash the industry politically in this country, then it will be able to fulfil our mobility dreams. The road is not easy, but we can do it!’




Malte Hofmann, Industry Segment Manager at HARTING: ‘We are very satisfied with the high number of high-quality customer meetings at InnoTrans 2024, which not only gave us the opportunity to present innovative new products, but also to discuss future topics such as the circular economy and generative AI. With its growing international audience, it is the most important trade fair in the rail industry.’

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