'Terror target' Farnborough boosts security
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Your support makes all the difference.An increase of 50 per cent in the security budget, 300 extra police and the drafting in of a private security firm: such are the precautions at the Farnborough International Airshow, the biggest meeting of the aerospace community since the attacks of 11 September.
The organisers of the event, which starts today, are protecting not just billions of pounds worth of aircraft but a host of VIPs, including some of the world's most powerful business figures and royalty from Europe and the Middle East.
Car parking has been moved to the fringes of the Hampshire airfield because the risk of hidden explosives and a guard has been placed on the row of a dozen US military jets.
David Marshall, director general of the organisers, the Society of British Aerospace Companies, (SBAC), said: "We have exhibitors from 49 countries and some of those countries are involved in the war on terror. The fact that they will all be in one place this week makes them a real target."
As the first major aerospace show since Paris last June, the twice-yearly Farnborough event will be a barometer of the state of the industry, which has been traumatised by the fallout from the war on terror. Air traffic fell by 20 per cent and the stock market value of airlines plunged by 30 per cent following the attacks in New York while the national flag carriers Sabena and Swissair were forced out of business.
The SBAC insists that Farnborough is as big as in 2000 – its best year in terms of exhibitors and visitors – but admits that corporate hospitality has been cut by at least five per cent. Several marquees are unsold and some companies are flying in only the most senior staff to cut costs.
Gareth Evans, an aerospace expert for AT Kearney management consultants, said: "There will be an attempt by the industry to show they are fighting and not sinking. It will be the aerospace industry's own 'war on terror'.''
Unlike previous years, no surprise announcements of major deals for commercial aircraft are expected, with the possible exception of the purchase of 100 passenger planes by Easyjet. Mr Marshall said: "We are not expecting the same level of business as last year when there were around £56bn in orders, including £49bn from the commercial sector."
Two of the biggest manufacturers of commercial airliners, Boeing and Airbus, have cut production and for the first time European manufacturers are set to build more aircraft than their American rivals.
Boeing prefers to talk of onboard broadband technologies and its military aircraft range. To this end a huge C-17 developed by the Boeing-owned McDonnell Douglas is parked among the passenger jets.
There is likely to be intense interest in products to tighten security. Manufacturers are displaying smart cards incorporating retina recognition for frequent flyers, reinforced cockpit doors and scanners. Most aim to meet new regulations for more than 400 US airports by the end of the year.
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