Update From The Paris Airshow

The 55th Paris Air Show opened on June 16 against one of the most consequential geopolitical backdrops in the event’s history. At face value, the world’s largest airshow will be as robust as ever, with 2,500 exhibiting companies from 48 countries preparing to receive up to 300,000 visitors between June 16 and 22.

Behind a façade that includes more than 150 aircraft on display, the aerospace and defense sectors are adjusting their strategies in response to the Trump administration’s mercurial trade tariffs and shifts in defense policy. Since January, these challenges have compounded stubborn problems around supply-chain weaknesses that continue to undermine productivity, especially for air transport.

At the top of the food chain, European airframer Airbus will have a strong presence in the static display with its A220, A321XLR, A350, and A400M. These will line up against a new example of the 777-300 widebody produced by its U.S. rival, Boeing.

With more than 100 start-ups among the exhibitors at the Paris Le Bourget Airport-hosted airshow this year, future technology is high on the agenda, This includes a strong emphasis on future propulsion systems, autonomy, and artificial intelligence. Several pioneers developing electric and hybrid-electric aircraft will be seeking attention, including Beta Technologies, Archer, Joby, Eve Air Mobility, VoltAero, Ascendance, Aura Aero, and Boeing’s advanced air mobility spinoff, Wisk Aero.

In the military arena, European defense groups and the governments they serve are rapidly recalibrating their approach to major programs, such as future fighters and uncrewed air systems.

With the defense budgets of Europe’s NATO partners rising, there is now a strong emphasis on procuring technology closer to home, and it remains to be seen what this might mean for partnerships with their U.S. counterparts. The attitude adopted by the large U.S. delegation in Paris next week could give clues as to how they might respond to this rapidly reshaping paradigm.

Business aviation OEMs Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, and Textron Aviation all have a presence at the Paris show. For the most part, they are emphasizing the military, government, and special-mission roles of their aircraft.

BJT parent company AIN Media Group will publish four daily print and digital show editions in Paris from June 16 to 19. An airshow landing page is already live with fresh stories and other content being posted for the duration of the event.