The Business Aircraft Park (BAP) at July’s Farnborough International airshow could be as much as three times larger than it was at the 2004 event, where it was launched. The UK show’s organizers are adding 12 more hard-standing pads, bringing the total aircraft slots to 24, and have indicated that further space can be made available.
The bizav show-within-a-show has been relocated to a more central location near the chalet line. Exhibitors can park their aircraft close to their own chalets, making it easier to conduct tours for prospective buyers.
Visitors to the BAP can enter the Farnborough show site via a separate entrance on the south side of the airfield, bypassing the crowds at the main eastern entrance. The park also has its own hospitality and reception area and separate car parking.
This year Farnborough International will run from July 17 to 23, with the first five days for trade visitors only. The BAP is open for only the first three days of the event, allowing business aviation manufacturers to remove their aircraft early. However, they can opt to keep the aircraft on site for the duration of the show.
The British Business and General Aviation Association is supporting the Business Air Park at the airshow. Farnborough International is still looking for a main sponsor for the event.
According to show organizers, the BAP may also feature some helicopters. For example, Bell Helicopter is returning to Farnborough for the first time since 1998.
The biennial Farnborough event will make a staggered start this year, beginning an hour later than normal at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 17. After a shortened flying display, it will close that day at 4 p.m. to allow exhibitors and trade visitors to make the 35-mile trip into central London for the official opening ceremony.
Farnborough introduced the BAP to give business aircraft manufacturers a higher profile at the aerospace and defense show. These companies have been increasingly drawn to the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, which is generally held barely two months before Farnborough International. More details are available at www.farnborough.com.
