By Shyam Bhatia
Farnborough, July 18. The world’s largest air show opened today (Monday July 18) at the UK’s Farnborough centre with keynote speeches from Britain’s Prince Charles and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The legendary Red Arrows from Britain’s Royal Air Froce also organised a flypast.
Other VIPs attending include the US ambassador to the UK Jane Hartley, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and retired Lunar Module pilot of Apollo 16 Brigadier General Charlie Duke.
Despite warnings about the UK’s current heatwave with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees, tens of thousands flocked in trains, buses and private cars to attend the five day event that is being held after a four year gap.
Covered by more than 800 media outlets shuttling between 1500 exhibitors.
As Mr Johnson addressed delegates, protestors from the campaign group Extinction Rebellion gathered outside dressed in funeral clothes and pushed empty white prams to symbolise the impact that conflict and climate change are having on the future prospects of today’s children. Johnson missed a second emergency COBRA meeting about the heatwave in order to mingle with delgates.
A brand-new feature for Farnborough is the Aerospace Global Forum (AGF) providing a unique global platform to drive immediate action, accelerating transition to the new, Net Zero.Taking place throughout the trade week, the AGF will welcome global leaders from across aerospace and beyond to drive climate action and transform our industry.
“This is a real opportunity to re-engage and highlight global technologies” industry organisers said. “Most importantly it’s all about joint partnership.” The organisers told India Strategic, “There is a real interest in India and its technologies. There is also interest from Indian trade associations to work with global associations.
“India is an important global player in defence security and we are all very impressed with the R&D of India’s armed forces. India is much more forward looking with joint ventures and also with how UK companies can flourish in India.
“At a time when the UK defence budget is being looked at, it is important to remember that R&D is not just US processed. Remember that people are looking ahead to the next 5-10 years, towards new technologies, SMEs ( small and medium enterprises) and the global market in general.”
Among the leading exhibitors at the airshow is the US aviation giant Boeing that is highlighting both the 777 X and 737 max. Boeing officials present at Farnborough describe the 777 as the widest passenger aircraft in production when it delivers in 2025, but current sales hopes are focused on the 737 described by Boeing as “safe, comfortable and the type of aircraft you would be happy to fly on with your family.”
Only hours after Farnborough opened, Delta Air Lines announced it was placing an order with Boeing for 100 737 MAX 10s with a further 30 options. This follows fevered speculation before the show opened. Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement, “The Boeing 737 MAX 10 will be an important addition to Delta’s fleet as we shape a more sustainable future for air travel, with an elevated customer experience, improved fuel efficiency and best-in-class performance. These new aircraft provide superior operating economics and network flexibility, and the agreement reflects our prudent approach to deploying our capital.”
