It appears that international airshows are coming in quick succession, calling for ingenuity on the part of exhibitors, not just to grab headlines, but to stay ahead of the competition. While the airshows at Le Bourget, Paris, and Farnborough, UK, are crème de la crème, shows at Berlin, Dubai, Singapore and even Bengaluru are strategically important and have been marketed accordingly. Nevertheless, Farnborough and Paris remain the trendsetters of aviation, they give an insight into what the future of aviation holds with new technologies coming into the marketplace; new ideas being thrown up at discussions; new partnerships getting sealed and a new world aviation order getting shape.

India and China are top on the agenda where there is humongous potential in terms of commercial aviation, regional aviation, general aviation and airport development. For instance, India is expected to order as many as 400 aircraft in 2014-15. So is the story in China where aircraft acquisition and airport development are happening at a rapid pace and all such development require technology, equipment, manpower, expertise, finance, etc. There cannot be a better place than Farnborough to scout for these.

The week-long event from July 14 to 20, 2014, that combines a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with a public airshow, remains pivotal to the growth of the aviation sector per se. The challenge for the organisers, in this case the Farnborough International Limited (FIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADS Group Limited, is mammoth, not just in organising the event, but bringing new ideas, new aircraft and new beginnings to the table.

Raising the Game

The Chief Executive of FIL, Shaun Omrod, said, “We have had to raise the game to attract both industry professionals and the public. The Farnborough International Airshow is the meeting place for the aerospace community. No other event allows visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to meet new and potential business partners, colleagues and existing business customers. While the major manufacturers use the event to display their ‘muscle’ with major announcements and showcase aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and the Airbus A350 on display, it is the unrecorded supply-chain business that is created as a result of the show that is the true key to this event’s success. As show organisers, it is our business to facilitate that.”

Innovations this year include a new row A of permanent chalets facing the flight line, an extended conference programme and a scheme to make it more affordable for the small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK to exhibit. Farnborough began life as a shop window exclusively for the British aerospace industry and UK-based companies still account for 44 per cent of exhibitors. This year there are 18 international pavilions including Norway and Malaysia making their debut. At the time of writing, 70 aircraft had confirmed participation in the static and flying display. The list includes the Airbus A350-900, MSN-4, A380, an A320 with sharklets and a Boeing 787-8 on static display. There will be 23 aircraft demonstrating their prowess in the skies.

100 Years of Aviation

The theme for the public airshow this year is 100 years of aviation and will feature aircraft from every decade of the past century. The public weekend will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I with a display by the Great War Display team. FIL has secured more flying and static display aircraft than ever before appearing for the public. A highlight of the new look public area this year will be a ‘training zone’ with military training aircraft on show from the past century.

Another new feature of the static display will be the vintage aircraft collection tent from the dawn of aviation up to and including World War I such as the Sopwith Camel, Wright Flyer and Bleriot XI.

Large US Contingent

Reflecting positive and growing business relationships between the United States and Great Britain, airshow organisers FIL has confirmed increased presence of American companies. Kallman Worldwide, organisers of the US Pavilion indicate they have over 230 companies taking part within the pavilion taking over 7,500 square metres of exhibition space.

The US primes have also secured prominent positions at the show with participation from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, L-3 Communications, Bell Helicopters, UTC and Raytheon, to name a few. Furthermore, the show will see a strong presence from the US Department of Defense, which is occupying a new larger area of the static display line-up.

As part of its UK debut, the event will also see the F-35 Lightning II flying at the show. Led by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 programme is another example of strong relations between the two countries with the UK being the only country to be a first-tier partner in the project securing tens of thousands of jobs in the UK.

Speaking about the strong US participation, FIL Commercial Director, Amanda Stainer said, ‘The US is our largest exhibitor, second only to the UK. The Paris Airshow last year saw very little presence of US companies and no participation from the US Department of Defense. We are delighted to see that US aerospace companies, both large and small, have chosen the Farnborough International Airshow as their platform from which to do business. It is extremely positive news.”

The F-35 Lightning II’s presence also mark’s a unique aviation first with the aircraft’s VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) predecessor the Sea Harrier, also being present at the show. Ormrod said, “The Harrier has played a distinct role in modern aviation history, a hero of the Falklands War and a superb example of aviation technology. The opportunity to see the last and next-generation of vertical thrust aircraft at the same venue marks a milestone in aviation history.”

Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, said that the decision to fly the combat aircraft outside of the United States for the first time, following discussions with his US counterpart, Secretary Hagel, is a further demonstration of the progress with the Lightning II programme. The selection of two UK airshows also demonstrates the significant role that Britain has in the programme. Approximately 15 per cent of every aircraft is built in the UK.

Hammond added, “The US and the UK have worked closely together on the F-35 project from the beginning. We are the only country that is a first-tier partner in the project, which is sustaining tens of thousands of jobs in the UK. This fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft will be a major boost to British combat air power and it is entirely fitting that the F-35’s first stop outside the United States will be in the UK.”

Dedicated General Aviation Park

This year, FIL is introducing a dedicated General Aviation (GA) Park as part of the new look Farnborough Airshow. The GA Park will showcase the latest in private and recreational flying and hopes to attract all the leading aircraft and helicopter manufacturers and distributors in the category.

FIL Director heading the public airshow development, Trevor Barratt, said, “The GA Park will bridge the gap between the public and trade event. It will allow even more manufacturers and distributors to attend the world-class exhibition and showcase their products and will introduce a new consumer audience to the show.” The GA Park is just one element of Farnborough Airshow’s public weekend. The new look show will form a stand-alone consumer event with its own branding and deliver an even wider offering to visitors.

In 2012, Farnborough attracted 1,09,000 trade visitors over the first five days and 1,00,000 public visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Orders and commitments for 758 aircraft $72 billion were announced..

With forecasts of 35,280 new airplane acquisitions by 2032, valued at $4.8 trillion, the prospects of the aviation industry is good, but certainly not without its set of challenges, be it economic, regulatory, fuel related and pilot related. And Farnborough can throw up solutions to these challenges