Farnborough 2006 to be 'remarkable' show
Apr. 06, 2006
Organizers of the UK's biennial Farnborough International Air Show have high expectations for the 45th edition, set to take place July 17-23.
"2006 will be a remarkable show," Farnborough International MD Trevor Sidebottom said in Washington Tuesday. "Everything is going well for us. The industry is at a high." Airbus has committed to bring and fly the A380, while Boeing will have a 777 in the static display. A total of 100 aircraft are expected to be on hand.
Some 99% of exhibit and chalet space already is taken and the total number of exhibitors will be around 1,400, up from 1,360 in 2004, according to Exhibition and Events Director Amanda Stainer. She said this year's show will feature 100 exhibitors new to Farnborough. Total trade attendance is expected to exceed the 133,000 visitors in 2004.
This is the first Farnborough event since the creation in January 2005 of Farnborough International Ltd. by the Society of British Aerospace Companies. A wholly owned subsidiary of SBAC, FIL came into being to manage the show on behalf of the trade group and to explore other opportunities in events management.
One of the goals of FIL is to increase the attractiveness to the international aerospace community of what is the industry's second-largest show, and Sidebottom pointed to the fact that exhibitor costs were maintained at 2004 levels "across the board" while the costs to display an aircraft in the main static park "were reduced 50%."
Monday-Thursday are trade days. FIL plans an International Youth Day on Friday with more than 1,000 young people aged 18-24 invited to attend in hopes of encouraging interest in careers in aerospace. Public days are July 22-23.