Neither the rain nor a stumbling world economy has failed to put US industry off from attending this year's Paris show in numbers. Yesterday Senator Daniel Inouye, President Obama's represenative, cut the ribbon to open the large US Pavilion, which houses 160 companies, including 29 taking part for the first time in Paris.

Inouye stressed the support the Obama administration has for the US aviation industry, which he describes as a cornerstone of the American industrial complex.

Also on hand to mark the start of business for the US delegation at Paris were the Hon Michael Donley, secretary of the US Air Force, Mark Pekala, chargé d'affaires, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in France, and Marion Blakey, president of Aerospace Industries.

Source: Flight Daily News