June 2002 - Nr. 6
Ready for Takeoff in Berlin
International Aerospace Exhibition 2002
TWIG - One of Europe’s largest aerospace trade fairs, ILA2002, opened in Berlin on wings of optimism about the future of the European air and space industry. For makers of aerospace technology, this exhibition is widely acknowledged to be one of the best places in the world to do business with civilian and military manufacturers and buyers from around the world. The International Aerospace Exhibition is now going into its 93rd year - and this year’s show is the biggest yet in terms of exhibitor numbers. More than 1,000 exhibitors, 13% more than last year, from 40 countries will exhibit the latest in air and space technology for six days in the German capital, drawing what are expected to be record-breaking crowds of visitors to the fair grounds at Berlin’s Schönefeld Airport.
The global aviation industry was among the hardest hit by the effects of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Flight bookings plummeted, airlines were forced out of business and many of those that still fly have cancelled orders for new planes. According to industry estimates, airlines lost some 16.5 billion euros (US$15 billion) last year. But European manufacturers hope that ILA2002 will turn the tide. "In these difficult times for the aviation industry, ILA2002 will send a signal that things are moving again," Hans Eberhard Birke, managing director of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) to DW World.
The European aerospace industry has many reasons for its buoyant outlook, according to BDLI president Rainer Hertrich, among them, the start of construction of Galileo, a pioneering European satellite navigation system, the Airbus A380 and the Airbus A400 M, Europe’s biggest joint military project ever. Hertrich said the A400 M would create 40,000 jobs in Europe - 12,000 of them in Germany. Eight European countries have teamed up for the project. They plan to produce 196 Airbus A400 M planes worth some 18 billion euro (US$16.5 billion). Although not all partners have signed on the dotted line for the costly project, Hertrich hopes the defence deal will be finalized before the end of this month.
More than 340 civil and military aircraft will be on show at this year’s ILA, many for the first time. The most sensational is the A340-600, the Airbus consortium’s massive long-haul passenger jumbo jet. Designed as the 21st century replacement for fuel-thirsty and less-capable older jumbos, the A340-600 is the largest passenger aircraft ever constructed in Europe. It is able to fly long-haul routes with a full payload, carrying up to 350 passengers over a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles. It also accommodates four times more cargo than competing twin-engined aircraft on long-haul routes.
Some 30% of the exhibitors at this year’s trade fair are military manufacturers. Eurofighter, a multinational European consortium working to produce a cutting-edge fighter aircraft, will be at the ILA2002 to display its EF2000, which is due to go into regular production shortly. Both Germany’s and Britain’s air forces have already placed orders for the Eurofighter. The world’s largest autonomous, unmanned aircraft will also debut at ILA2002: U.S. manufacturer Northrop Grumman teamed up with Europe’s EADS to produce the Global Hawk. The plane is said to have unrivalled performance capabilities and is even capable of intercontinental flights.
