The Farnborough International Airshow has announced that it is removing its public weekend, taking the biennial show from seven days to five and eliminating its public airshow. It has been reported that factors influencing the change include negative feedback regarding last year’s airshow, the fatal 2015 airshow crash in Shoreham for which the pilot was recently charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, and a decreasing number of airshow spectators. The public weekend will be replaced by opening the trade show to the public for the final day of the event.
“Allowing the public to see more of the people, products and processes that underpin the global aerospace, defense and space industries will help engage and inspire a new generation,” said Farnborough International CEO Gareth Rogers. “Removing the public weekend will disappoint some, but for our exhibitors and trade visitors the focus is on business and accessing the talent they need to sustain global competitiveness.” Commercial and military air displays will still be held during the week.
The Farnborough International Airshow is held every other year with the next show scheduled for July 20-24, 2020. In 2018, more than 1,500 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors from 112 countries attended the event.
