I was interested to read the article by Justin Wastnage, "Berlin aims high" (Flight International, 2-8 April) and the views of BDLI president Rainer Hertrich on the future of air shows.
Hertrich's view that "the USA needs to have one big air show every two years, and the European shows should rotate on alternate years" is unlikely to happen. There is an issue of the increasing number of air shows held and it is clear to us that the US industry does not want to hold an international air show.
The aerospace industry only has the appetite for one large international air show a year, so adding further shows to the calendar does not make sense. It should also be kept in mind that it is not economically viable to organise a large international air show less than every two years.
As organiser of a major international air show, the Society of British Aerospace Companies' priority is to our customers and exhibitors and we firmly believe that they will visit and exhibit where they want. This cannot be preordained.
By responding to exhibitor demands and having a commitment to continuous improvement, Farnborough International has confirmed its position as the place where the global aerospace industry has to be and be seen. This position is reflected by the large number of orders announced - in 2000 Farnborough International broke all previous records with $52 billion of orders announced during the event - twice that announced during the 1998 ($26.7 billion) and over four times that of 1996 ($12 billion).
David Marshall
Director General, The Society of British Aerospace Companies
Source: Flight International