The Farnborough International Airshow is one of the most prestigious shows around the world according to Gareth Rogers, Chief Executive of Farnborough International
“The Farnborough International Airshow connects an industry worth $350 billion from the orders announced by global industry leaders and government representatives from around the world, it is the preeminent showcase for businesses of all sizes.”
The Airshow saw exhibitors announced deals worth an estimated $192 billion during the week long show. That’s up more than $67 billion for the last time the biennial show was held in 2016.
The show was officially opened by Prime Minister, Theresa May, 37 weeks before the UK leaves the European Union. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Mrs May said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for aerospace. Not only is there huge growth potential, but many of the developments taking place have the potential to transform the way we fly.”
Airbus-Airbus Defence and Space has unveiled the new Zephyr S HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite). The Zephyr S is the first production aircraft of the Zephyr program, with previous Zephyr units being Research and Development prototypes.
Zephyr is the world’s leading, solar-electric, stratospheric Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It harnesses the sun’s rays, running exclusively on solar power, above the weather and conventional air traffic; filling a capability gap complimentary to satellites, UAVs and manned aircraft to provide affordable and persistent local satellite-like services.
Competition between Boeing and Airbus continued as expected. Airbus also showed off a Qatar Airways Airbus A350-1000.
It’s the new rival for Boeing’s hot-selling 777-300ER and generated sales of Airbus 320 neo, 350, and the A220 to both JetBlue and Moxy Airline, a startup by Jetblue founder Neeleman.
Airbus and Bombardier move forward with its partnership to build the C Series airplanes which Delta continues to purchase as part of its Connection fleet.
A trade tribunal decision allows for C Series planes Bombardier produces in Canada to be sold to Delta Air Lines in the U.S. without additional tariffs.
Embraer made a host of new contract announcements on Tuesday, bringing its Farnborough 2018 totals to 300 aircraft, worth a total of $15.3bn.The company representatives at Embraer’s packed media center were thrilled after its announced deal after deal with Mauritania Airlines, NAC, Wataniya Airways, Helvetic Airways, Azul, Republic Airways and an undisclosed Spanish Airline.
Embraer and Boeing recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership that positions both companies to accelerate growth in global aerospace markets with a 80/20 Boeing-Embraer ownership stake.
Boeing’s 737 max is the fastest selling aircraft in Boeing’s history with over 4,600 orders from 100 customers worldwide.
Boeing says the 737 MAX family is designed to offer operators exceptional performance, including lower operating costs and more range to open up new destinations. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets, Boeing sky interior, large flight deck displays and other features.
Embraer and United Airlines have signed a firm order for 25 E175 jets in a 70-seat configuration at the show.
The contract has a value of $1.1 billion, based on current list prices, and will be included in Embraer’s 2018 third-quarter backlog. Deliveries will begin in the second quarter of 2019.25 new aircraft will be added to 400-strong fleet.
Jetson cars
British luxury brand Aston Martin has presented its Volante Vision Concept which is a luxury concept aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities having room for three adults.
The Volante Vision is a flying autonomous hybrid-electric vehicle for urban and inter-city air travel.
The concept takes full advantage of the latest advances in aerospace, electrification and autonomous technologies, coupled with Aston Martin’s signature design.
Embraer is collaborating with Uber to make an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and its ecosystem a reality.
Faradair which has been working on a six-seater Bio-Electric-Hybrid-Aircraft programme, upped its game today by increasing the BEHA to a 10-seater and unveiling an all-electric 6-10 commuter aircraft with a two-hour range and a milititarised variant as well.
Rolls Royce: Rolls-Royce has unveiled a concept electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) vehicle at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018.The design could be adapted for personal transport, public transport, logistics and military applications. The vehicle could take to the skies as soon as the early 2020s.
The Rolls-Royce EVTOL project is part of the company’s strategy to ‘champion electrification’ and become a world leader in industrial technology company. The hybrid-EVTOL configuration could carry four or five passengers at speeds up to 250mph for approximately 500 miles and would not require re-charging as the battery is charged by the gas turbine. The vehicle would utilize existing infrastructure such as heliports and airports.
