Farnborough International Airshow

The Farnborough International Airshow is a week-long event that combines a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with a public airshow. The first five days (Monday to Friday) are dedicated exclusively to trade, with the final two days open to the public.

Flying occurs on all seven days, and there are also static displays of aircraft outside and booths and stands in the indoor exhibition halls. On the Saturday and Sunday most of the exhibitions halls are shut, but there is a funfair and children are admitted.

The event is held in mid-July in even-numbered years at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, England; the next event will occur in 2014. It alternates with the Paris Air Show, which is held in odd-numbered years and has a similar format. Both shows are important events in the international aerospace and defence industry calendars, and provide an opportunity to demonstrate civilian and military aircraft to potential customers and investors. The shows are also used for the announcement of new developments and orders, and attract media coverage.

The UK show is organised by Farnborough International Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ADS Group Limited (ADS). According to the organisers, the 2012 Farnborough show attracted 109,000 trade visitors over the first five days, and 100,000 public visitors on the Saturday and Sunday. Orders and commitments for 758 aircraft were announced, worth US$72 billion.

From 1996 to 2010, the show had its own official radio station operated by the staff and students of nearby Farnborough College of Technology, but it did not operate in 2012.

The Farnborough International Airshow is held in the same years as the Berlin Air Show, also known as the ILA, which is the other major event in the European aerospace business calendar.