Bumper coverage of Farnborough Airshow
A RECORD-BREAKING £117.7 billion worth of orders was placed at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.
The figure dwarves the £46.8bn total recorded at the last event in 2012, and several businesses have already pledged to return in 2016, ensuring the biennial show made an encouraging message for the aviation industry.
Before the public was unleashed on the show on Saturday and Sunday, traders were given from Monday last week to Friday to pitch their products, network and place highvalue orders for aircraft and technology.
By the close of exhibition, Farnborough International confirmed that orders and commitments for civil jet engines alone totalled 1,600 units, worth £20.2bn, while more than 1,100 aircraft, worth £89bn, had been purchased.
A further £8.5bn was achieved in service contracts, reflecting the buoyancy of the aerospace industry internationally and in the UK.
Shaun Ormrod, chief executive of Farnborough International, said customers had gone back to their homes all over the world ‘very, very happy’ with their experience in Farnborough.
“We are extremely pleased by these numbers,” he said.
“There is already an order backlog and these additional orders will keep manufacturers in business, and people employed for some years to come.
“It is great news for UK business and the economy.”
Airbus trumped Boeing at the end of the show by securing more deals with airlines and leasing companies, after launching a revamped version of its popular A330 during the show.
A Meet the Buyer event proved successful this year, with more than 1,200 meetings taking place with 30 delegate companies and UKTI commercial officers.
The event has doubled in size compared with 2012, with more than 300 companies participating.
The official delegations programme was also well attended, with almost 80 military delegates in attendance from 59 countries, including 10 from the US. The civil delegations programme also had strong participation, with senior management from 12 organisations including HAL, Augusta Westland, Italy, Airbus and Sukhoi.
Amanda Stainer, commercial director for show organisers Farnborough International, said: “We are delighted by the orders and commitments at the show, however it’s the networking outside of those deals that are just as important, demonstrated by the number of exhibitors that have already re-booked for 2016.
“The value of bookings for the 2016 show has increased by a massive 1,000% compared to 2012. We are very pleased.”
As reported in the News & Mail last week, the airshow hosted a number of major announcements and international deals.
Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled plans for a major new defence project in Farnborough, the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, minister for the cabinet office, cities and constitution, signed a £118m Enterprise M3 growth deal, and outgoing defence secretary Philip Hammond MP, agreed to a deal with the French over the acquisition and support of military equipment.