Two of the biggest names in business aviation have pulled out of the Paris air show citing pressure on marketing budgets and the growing importance of niche rivals such as EBACE in Geneva.
This will be the first time in many years that Cessna and Gulfstream have failed to exhibit at the world's biggest and oldest air show, which is celebrating its centenary. Cessna's vice-president international sales Trevor Esling says Paris has "become a show for enthusiasts and not aircraft buyers. Customers are attracted to Paris for the spectacle and few sales are made. EBACE is the key show for us and Aero Friedrichshafen has become increasingly important."
Gulfstream's vice-president corporate communications Robert Baugniet says the fact that Paris takes place a month after EBACE means "our budget is spent and there is nothing to announce". He says the Savannah, Georgia-based airframer's presence at Paris has declined "almost in proportion" to its growing involvement at EBACE.
Embraer's executive jets division will also fail to participate at Paris this year, although the Brazilian company will be there to promote its regional aircraft and military businesses.
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Hawker Beechcraft, however, will be at Paris with a Hawker 4000 and Beechcraft King Air 350ER on display, although the Wichita airframer will be focused on military and government customers rather than corporate clients.
"EBACE is the best show for us in terms of generating sales," says vice-president for international sales Sean McGeough. "Our main focus at Paris is the special missions market and the show does attract delegations from around the world who are interested in business aircraft in various applications."
Two airframers that are enthusiastic about the show are Bombardier, which has a regional aircraft division, and Dassault Aviation - a leading light in show organiser GIFAS and for whom Paris is a vital platform for its defence business.
Bombardier's business aircraft president Steve Ridolfi says Paris offers the Canadian manufacturer an opportunity to "meet customers who either prefer this venue to EBACE or weren't able to schedule a visit with us in Geneva. Paris draws customers from all over the world." Bombardier will display its Learjet 85 mock-up as well as the Challenger 850 and Global Express XRS.
Smaller airframers are also planning to attend, again with the emphasis on the para-public and government sector. They include Pilatus, which will have its PC-12 single-prop as well as its PC-21 military trainer on show, and Piaggio, which will be talking up the attributes of its P180 Avanti as a medevac, law enforcement and government VIP aircraft. "The show is a unique opportunity to meet our institutional customers," says chief executive Alberto Galassi.
French manufacturer Daher-Socata has, in its various guises, attended every Paris since 1911 and 2009 will not be an exception. It will have its TBM 850 multi-mission variant on show.
Source: Flight International
