Aerospace industry optimistic about future

This year’s International Aerospace Exhibition 2010 (ILA) has underlined even more compellingly than in the past its role as a major trading hub, and it presented itself both to experts and the general public as a thriving hi-tech industry, uniting all the key technologies of the 21st century. 1,553 exhibitors from 47 countries (2008: 1,227 / 37) – which is the highest turnout in the exhibition’s 100-year history – presented an impressive range of products and services form all sectors of the aerospace industry. The exhibition was attended by approximately 235,000 visitors (2008: 241,000), 125,000 of whom were trade visitors – a slight increase on the last ILA of 2008 (120,000). Contracts and business agreements worth $16.5 billion (approximately €14 billon) were signed during the fair. The largest order came from the airline Emirates, which bought 32 Airbus A380 aircraft at a total list price of approximately $11.5 billion. According to Airbus this agreement is the largest single order ever placed in the history of civil aviation. Airbus alone sold 67 aircraft during the ILA 2010, according to its CEO Dr. Thomas Enders.

More than 100 conferences, seminars and workshops underlined the ILA’s role as a leading international congress trade fair. Some 8,000 representatives of all sectors of the aerospace industry attended the meetings, which were staged by internationally renowned organisations. With its more than 130 high-ranking delegations from all over the world, the ILA 2010 turned into a meeting place for business and science, politics and the military.
Close on 300 aircraft – considerably more than at any other air show in the world – were on display on the ground and in the air. The industry presented a host of innovations, especially on the subject of “environment and eco-efficient flight”.

The International Suppliers’ Center recorded an exhibitor increase of 60 per cent (265 exhibitors from 22 countries). One of the major events was the newly introduced International Buyers’ Day, where ISC exhibitors met with over 50 leading buyers from the main systems manufacturers in a total of 435 individually organized discussions.
The Berlin Air Show was covered by 4,100 media representatives from 70 countries, who gave the events worldwide publicity.
The next ILA will take place from 11 to 16 September 2012.

Source: www.ila-berlin.de