This year, the event will mark 100 years of technological innovation in aeronautics and space conquest

June 15, 2009. A landmark day for global aviation industry when all roads lead to Le Bourget, Paris. More than 150 aircraft showcased by 2,000 exhibitors draw government delegations from every nation that matters, media the world over and an audience of thousands to the International Paris Air Show. Organised by the French aerospace industry’s Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS), the event serves as a platform to demonstrate military and civilian aircraft to potential customers.

With almost 400,000 admissions in seven days, Le Bourget hosts an event not to be missed. One of the largest aircraft shows in the world, the Paris Air Show has been held biannually for the last 100 years. In 2007, there were over 142 aircraft on display and 1,996 exhibitors from 42 countries represented. This year, the show will mark a hundred years of technological innovation in aeronautics and space conquest.

Le Bourget attracts exhibitors and participants representing companies ranging from small manufacturers to large multinational corporations. These participants come from all sectors of the aerospace industry, including aircraft manufacture, assembly, government/administrations, armed forces, air transport, subcontractors (mechanical engineering and composite materials), aircraft interiors, airborne equipment and systems, maintenance, product support and spares, propulsion system manufacturers, services such as training, finance and aviation publications.

B2B Meetings & Interactions
June 16 to 18, entrepreneurs from the aerospace sector make the most of the opportunity to meet and interact with the industry’s most influential players through customised, targeted B2B meetings. Companies converge to identify new business partners, meet suppliers and buyers and also find technology partners for joint R&D projects or technology transfers.

Organisers emphasise the goal of such meetings is to optimise and save time at the show with planned meetings, spot companies among the 2,000 exhibitors, with profiles responding to specific needs and applications, request meetings with potential partners, identify new contacts for establishing fresh ties and technological cooperation, and lead a workshop and to present individual purchase strategy to suppliers. Individuals or companies implementing projects related to aerospace sector, and managers and directors for procurement, technical matters, R&D, production, quality and institutional contractors. Initiated in 2007, these interactions have generated 6,000 individual and pre-organised appointments.

Past Forward
Paris Air Show traces its history back to the first decade of the 20th century. In 1908, there was a section of the Paris Automobile Show dedicated to aircraft, and from 1909 there was an air show, held at the Grand Palais. There were four further shows before the First World War. The show re-started in 1919, and from 1924 it was held every two years. Interrupted by the Second World War, the shows re-started in 1946. Since 1949, the event is held in every odd-numbered year.

The air shows continued to be held at the Grand Palais, and from 1949 flying demonstrations were staged at Orly Airport. In 1953, the show was relocated from the Grand Palais to Le Bourget. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the show emerged as a powerful international rival to the Farnborough Air Show. The 1971 show featured a full scale mock-up of an Airbus 300 and the 1973 show the new DC-10 and Lockheed Tristar. The show suffered its worst accident in 1973 when a Tupolev Tu-144 (Russian equivalent of the Anglo-French Concorde) crashed, killing the six crew and eight people on the ground.

Besides displaying all that is new in the aviation industry, the Paris Air Show showcases the key historic achievements in the field. Open initially to trade, the show welcomes the public during the closing weekend. Attractions include impressive flying displays and exhibitions showcasing the latest cutting-edge technologies in the aircraft industry. The French Air Force contributes a large number of military aircraft to the flying displays and also puts on a show of their own. The Air and Space Museum’s permanent collections are open throughout the show. This popular event attracts about 500,000 people each year.

Indian Presence
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) spokesperson Vinay Mathur confirmed that a joint delegation of officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI would be attending the Paris air show. He stressed that the visit is primarily for supporting the aviation sector in India and for promoting India Aviation 2010. As per Amit Kumar Singh, spokesperson of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) there will be a representation on the part of their members.