Revamp of flagship event forms part of wide-ranging shake-up of UK industry body

A radical shake-up for the Farnborough air show - with fewer trade days, slimmed-down flying display and even possibly a new location - is on the cards as part of a wider revamp of the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC).

The SBAC, which has run Farnborough since 1948, says the review is in response to pressure, particularly from US exhibitors - unhappy about the number and frequency of international air shows - and the growing popularity of niche events. There is also concern over the impact of the biennial event on the local community and complaints about transport difficulties in reaching the site, 50km (30 miles) from central London.

The SBAC is also talking to exhibition companies about taking over the event's running. "We have to ask whether the SBAC is best placed to manage a show like Farnborough," says president Colin Green.

The changes - still to be finalised - will be implemented from the 2006 event, which will definitely remain at the Hampshire airfield. "There will be a Farnborough 06, but it won't be a mirror image of 04," says Green. "After that, nothing has been ruled out, including a change of site or even frequency."

But Green, who is also president of Rolls-Royce's defence business, admits finding another airfield site could be hard, given the need for access to an international airport and hotels. A merger with the Royal International Air Tattoo - a charity military air display at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, held annually in mid-July - is one possibility, but Green says this would present problems because of the "very different character" of the events.

Farnborough is the fourth major international air show in eight months, with Dubai in December 2003, Singapore's Asian Aerospace in February and Berlin's ILA in May 2004. The event is also sandwiched between two business aviation conventions, May's EBACE in Geneva and October's NBAA in Las Vegas.

SBAC director general Sally Howes, who took over last year, is also spearheading a society reorganisation that will see membership criteria widened, a new role for regional consortia representing smaller aerospace companies, and a move to a more "project-based" approach to providing member services.

MURDO MORRISON / LONDON

 

Source: Flight International