The Paris Air Show (Salon international de l'aéronautique et de l'espace, Paris-Le Bourget) is the world's oldest and largest air show. Established in 1909, it is currently held every odd year at Le Bourget Airport in north Paris, France. There have been 49 shows in total, including the most recent in 2011.
The Paris Air Show is organised by the French aerospace industry's primary representative body, the Groupement des industries françaises aéronautiques et spatiales GIFAS. It is a primarily commercial event, its main purpose being to demonstrate military and civilian aircraft to potential customers. It is widely considered the most prestigious aircraft exposition in the world; traditionally, major aircraft sales contracts are announced by manufacturers during the show. All major international manufacturers, as well as representatives of the military forces of several countries, attend the Paris Air Show.
In addition to industrial visitors, during the closing days of the salon, the show welcomes a large number of visitors from the general public, when admission is not limited to visitors with industry affiliations. Some other shows in the region include the Farnborough International Exhibition and Flying Display and the Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung Berlin (ILA), although these happen on alternating years.
Read more about Paris Air Show: History
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