ASD at the Paris Air Show

June 9, 2011 defpro.com

Once again this year, ASD and GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales) have put together a VIP programme for European policymakers and key stakeholders willing to visit Le Bourget. Many have accepted our invitation: three European Commissioners (Antonio Tajani, Günther Oettinger and Siim Kallas) and members of their cabinet, a total of thirteen officials from DG MOVE, DG Research and DG Entreprise, as well as four Members of the European Parliament (Arnaud Danjean, Malcolm Harbour, Alain Lamassoure and Vittorio Prodi) and other ASD Stakeholders. The Paris Air Show will be the opportunity for ASD members to introduce policymakers to the latest technological breakthroughs made by our sector, during what is certainly the largest European Air Show.

The top 100 companies in the industry worldwide have confirmed their presence at Le Bourget, and more than 2,000 small and medium-sized companies are exhibiting their expertise, mostly in the regional and national pavilions. The economic crisis has left its mark however, and most large companies have reduced their budgets by between 10 and 15%, leaving space for newcomers or components manufacturers wishing to reinforce their presence.

With its 2,113 exhibitors from45 countries, 350,000 visitors expected, about 200 international delegations and more than 3,000 journalists, the Paris Air Show remains the aviation and space industry's key event, and intends to continue to hold this leading position over the next decades. As the preferred meeting venue for industrial companies in the aviation and space sector, the Show has a duty to once again meet the expectations of an entire profession. As the industry’s sounding board and showcase, the 2011 show will again play host to a large number of announcements. Innovations which benefit the environment will be an overall theme.

The “special guest” of Le Bourget 2011 will be the solar aeroplane Solar Impulse. This will be the first air show appearance made by the revolutionary aeroplane, culmination of a genuine human and technological adventure, which made a historic 26-hour day and night flight without fuel, powered only by solar energy, in July 2010. From 20 to 26 June, visitors to the show will be able look closely at 64 meter wingspan Solar Impulse on the ground, and each morning, so long as weather conditions are favourable, admire its majestic flying displays whilst marvelling at the silence of its electric motors.