Ready for Takeoff

For some makers of air- and space technology, the International Aerospace Exhibition "ILA2002" is the best place to do business. They see the Berlin trade fair as the best meeting place for buyers and sellers from East and West.

But even though the organizers claim ILA2002 is Europe's biggest and most important aerospace trade fair, there are two strong competitors in Europe: the Le Bourget air salon in France and the Farnborough International Airshow in Great Britain.

And Farnborough can boast one big name that's missing in Berlin: Boeing.

The US company is the world's leading aerospace company, producing the most satellites, commercial jetliners, and military aircraft. But Boeing is conspicuously absent at Berlin's ILA.

Boeing shows Berlin the cold shoulder

Boeing prefers to show its newest products on British soil rather than in Berlin. Perhaps because the Americans see Britain as a closer ally. After all, Britain has been playing a much more loyal role in the US-led "War against Terror" than some other European nations.

European Union countries like France and Germany have been critical of US military operations and don't share American views of an "axis of evil". They refuse to see countries like Iraq and Iran as a rogue states and continue doing business with these nations.

Military secrets

The fact that Europe is on relatively friendly terms with some countries the US administration considers "evil" hasn't helped European makers of military technology, airplanes and satellites. Some American defense contractors have shied away from doing business with European partners because they fear military technology could get into the wrong hands.

In addition, the US government has largely been placing orders with American companies in an effort to stabilize the country's economy - especially after September 11.

Optimism in Europe after 9/11 shock

The aviation industry was among the hardest hit by the effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Flight bookings dropped, airlines have gone 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 euro ($ 15 billion) last year.

But the 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," said Hans Eberhard Birke, Managing Director of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI).

According to BDLI president Rainer Hertrich, the European air- and space industry has numerous reasons to be optimistic. Among them the start of construction on the European satellite navigation system Galileo, the Airbus A380 and the Airbus A400M – Europe's biggest joint military project ever. Hertrich said the A 400 M would create 40,000 jobs in Europe – 12,000 of them in Germany.

Eight European countries have teamed up for the A400 M project. They plan to produce 196 Airbus A400 planes worth some 18 billion euro ($ 16.5 billion). But not all partners have signed on the dotted line for the costly project. Hertrich hopes the defense deal will be made perfect before the end of this month.

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New aircraft on display

More than 340 civil and military aircraft will be on show at this year's ILA. Many of them have never been displayed before.

Europe's Airbus consortium will show both its smallest and its largest models. The public can get its first glimpse of the A318, an Airbus model that only had its maiden flight in January of this year.

On the other side of the Airbus spectrum, the A340-600 also makes its debut at this year's ILA. It's the largest passenger aircraft ever constructed in Europe and designed specifically for long haul use.

Eurofighter will be at the ILA2002 to display its EF2000, which is due to go into regular production shortly. Both Germany's Luftwaffe and Britain's Royal Air Force have already placed orders for the Eurofighter.

The world's largest unmanned aircraft will also make its debut at this year's ILA. US-maker Northrop Grumman teamed up with Europe's EADS to produce the Global/Euro Hawk. The plane is said to have unrivalled performance capabilities and is even capable of intercontinental flights.

ILA2002 breaking records

The International Aerospace Exhibition ILA is now going into its 93rd year – and ILA2002 is the biggest one ever. More than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries are showing what's new in air and space technology.

ILA2002 is breaking records as far as the number of exhibitors is concerned and it's expected to draw more people than ever to the exhibition grounds at Berlin's Schönefeld Airport.