Industry and Government Hail Success of Farnborough Airshow

The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) have today hailed the success of the 2008 Farnborough International Airshow. The Airshow has defied the gloomy predictions about orders and has given the global aerospace and defence industry the opportunity to see the best of British-based manufacturing and engineering at first hand. List price orders for Boeing and Airbus alone have topped the US$50 billion mark this week at Farnborough. Farnborough is now preparing to welcome the public for the weekend, with an extended air display and family activities provided on-site. Lord Digby Jones said: "I am very pleased that Farnborough 2008 has been such a success and that UKTI Defence and Security Organisation collaborated with the SBAC to bring military and government delegations from over 38 countries to this important exhibition. I would like to thank the SBAC and its subsidiary Farnborough International Limited for organising this event and would also like to also acknowledge the important role played by the companies in making Farnborough the prominent global air show". Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive, said: "The Farnborough Airshow has once again been the ideal location to show off UK-based manufacturing and engineering excellence in both the aerospace and defence sectors. Orders have been strong and have demonstrated that there is still life in the civil air transport market despite the current global economic situation. Interest in defence has also been at its usual high levels. "My colleagues at our subsidiary Farnborough International Limited have excelled themselves in putting on an outstanding event with exhibitor numbers up five per cent on 2006. I thank them for their efforts. I would also like to thank UKTI and DSO for their support in our activities during the Airshow and in particular for facilitating the business meetings that we have hosted jointly this week."