STEWART PENNEY and JUSTIN WASTNAGE
ILA 2002, held in Berlin on 6-12 May, saw an industry showing confidence that the worst of the economic downturn is past. As with previous German shows there was a strong presence from general aviation aircraft manufacturers and eastern Europe. The only large order announced at the show was Lufthansa's selection of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 to power its Airbus A380s. Key talking points included the future of Fairchild Dornier, with Bombardier being urged to take another look at the ailing company. EADS had a major presence, but several large US companies, including Boeing, did not exhibit. The show gave EADS the opportunity to stress to German decision-makers the need for planned missile orders to be placed to maintain the viability of subsidiary LFK. EADS's links with Northrop Grumman were also on show, as the pair gear up to offer a Euro Hawk version of the Global Hawk to Germany.
Source: Flight International
