Farnborough Ready for Take Off!

Farnborough International Airshow, one of the world’s largest airshows, opens its doors today.

The air show is the biggest outdoor event in the UK this year barring the Olympic Games and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

Over 250,000 visitors from around the world are expected to visit this year’s show, including 130,000 for the public show to experience a weekend of family entertainment at its most thrilling.

The highlight of the show especially for consumers, promises to be the spectacular 5-hour flying display on Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 July. Aerobatic teams demonstrating incredible precision flying at Farnborough 2012 include the incomparable Red Arrows, the Breitling Jet Team and the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.

Additional airborne entertainment comes courtesy of the much loved Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and crowd favourite the Avro Vulcan, contrasting with the cutting edge technology of the Yak 130, the AAC Apache Helicopter and the giant passenger jet, the Airbus A380.

On the ground, crowds will be able to get up close to see the future of commercial space travel as Farnborough hosts the first European public appearance of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two replica.

A prototype Mars Rover named ‘Bridget’ will also be on show in the show’s Space Zone in Hall 3 where the public may have the chance to meet a real astronaut.

Over 50 aircraft will be on static display across the weekend and together with a range of exhilarating rides, interactive exhibits, prototype cars, flight simulators, extreme sports demonstrations and restaurants and cafes to suit every taste, the 48th Farnborough International Airshow promises to be a great family day out.

Trade @ Farnborough 2012

Taking place every second year, the scale and popularity of the show continues to have a positive impact on the economy with an independent report estimating a contribution of over £30 million.

This is reflected by the importance placed on the event by senior government ministers. Set to appear during the event’s trade show week are Minister for Business & Enterprise Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts MP, Philip Hammond MP Secretary of State for Defence and Security and Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport.

The exhibition halls were completely sold out long ago, and the event has this year witnessed unprecedented interest from international businesses who now account for 55% of the total exhibitor-base.

Total exhibitors total 1,400 with country pavilions from the likes of Italy, France, Russia, USA and Mexico all filled with prospective business partners.

Both Boeing and Airbus will be flying aircraft at Farnborough 2012. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be flying at the show from Monday to Wednesday, and the Airbus A380 will be flying every day.

Other firsts for the show this year include a civil delegations programme, the launch of the Aviation Security and Innovation Zone, the European debut of the Virgin Galactic, the ADS conference programme, Space Zone and Unmanned Systems Showcase.

Shaun Ormrod, CEO of Farnborough International Ltd, said, “The economic growth of the BRIC nations means offers a major opportunity for SMEs to access new export markets as demand for air travel, aircraft and their manufacturing components increases. It’s also a chance to develop relationships with these countries’ own growing manufacturing economy and create new business connections. With so many of these emerging markets at the Farnborough International Airshow it makes good business sense to attend the show.”

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