Editor

Ian Sheppard

This year’s Farnborough International airshow (July 19&nbsp; to 25) is virtually sold out despite the continued economic uncertainty. Farnborough International Ltd. (FIL) has invested in upgrading the show, for example by adding a themed conference program and a “meet your buyer” event. 
Most importantly for visitors to EBACE this week, there will once again be a dedicated business aircraft park within the static display area. This gives exhibitors the option to keep their aircraft at the show for just the first three trade days, which can be attractive when customer aircraft are being shown. Demonstration flights are also permitted outside the main show hours.
“We have exhibitors attending from 39 countries so far,” said Farnborough International exhibitions and events director Amanda Stainer. “We have sold 165 chalets and 22 international pavilions, including to new groups from Morocco, Brazil and Portugal.”
“We have listened to our customers from business, commercial and defense sectors alike and have developed a number of initiatives that improve the show’s offerings,” added Farnborough International’s chief executive Shaun Ormrod.
Meanwhile, Farnborough International also has confirmed that it will once again partner with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s department of Civil Aviation Affairs to organize the second Bahrain International Airshow to be held Jan. 19-21, 2012. The first show was held at a purpose-built site at the Sakhir air base this past January.
The organizers will now be working on some ways to develop the structure and content of the Bahrain show. “It is very likely that there will be greater opportunity for demonstrating aircraft in extended flying displays, a more structured civil and military delegations program and further opportunities for engagement with Royal Bahraini delegations and ministers,” Ormrod explained.
AIN will once again publish its award-winning daily editions on the first four days of the Farnborough show. Exhibiting companies wanting to announce news should contact editor Charles Alcock at <a href="mailto:CAlcockAIN@aol.com">CAlcockAIN@aol.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;