Paris Air Show facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Paris Air Show Salon international de l'aéronautique et de l'espace, Paris-Le Bourget
The first day of the 2007 Paris Air Show
Status	Active
Genre	Commercial air show
Dates	June
Frequency	biennial: Odd years
Venue	Paris–Le Bourget Airport
Location(s)	Le Bourget, Paris (since 1953)
Coordinates	48°57′20″N 2°25′57″E / 48.9555°N 2.4324°E / 48.9555; 2.4324
Country	France
Established	1909; 116 years ago (1909)
Most recent	2023
Next event	2025
Attendance	2017: 322000
Activity	Aerobatic displays Static displays
Organized by	SIAE (GIFAS)

The Paris Air Show is a huge event held every two years in France. It takes place at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. This show is like a giant exhibition for everything about planes and space travel. It is the biggest air show in the world. Many companies show off their newest aircraft here.

The show is organized by a French aerospace group called GIFAS. It is bigger than other famous air shows. These include the Farnborough Air Show in the UK and the Dubai Air Show.

The first Paris Air Show was in 1909. From 1949 to 2019, it happened every odd-numbered year. In 2019, over 2,400 companies from 49 countries took part. The show covers a very large area. The 2021 show was canceled because of the COVID pandemic. It started again in 2023.

This event is a major trade fair. It displays both military and civilian aircraft. Many military forces and large aircraft manufacturers attend. They often announce big plane sales. The first four days are for professionals. Then, from Friday to Sunday, it opens to everyone.

History of the Paris Air Show
- Exciting Moments from Past Shows
Accidents at the Air Show
See also

History of the Paris Air Show

The first Salon de la locomotion aérienne in 1909. It was held at the Grand Palais in Paris.

The Paris Air Show started in 1908. Back then, it was just a small part of the Paris Motor Show. The next year, in 1909, it became its own event. It was held at the Grand Palais building. About 100,000 people visited to see new aircraft. There were four more shows before World War I.

The SNCASE SE.212 Durandal jet fighter at the 1957 show.

The air show stayed at the Grand Palais for a while. From 1949, flying displays were held at Paris Orly Airport. In 1953, the entire show moved to Le Bourget Airport. The show became very famous internationally in the 1960s. Since the 1970s, it has been the most important event for aviation.

Exciting Moments from Past Shows

1967: Space and Supersonic Planes

French President Charles de Gaulle opened the 1967 show. He met Soviet and American astronauts. The Soviet Union showed a huge Vostok rocket. This rocket had carried Yuri Gagarin into space. The American display was the largest. It featured the F-111 fighter jet. A model of the supersonic Concorde plane was also shown. This plane would fly for the first time in 1969.

1969: The Biggest Plane Arrives

The Boeing 747 jet, then the "largest plane in the world," arrived. It flew non-stop from Seattle. The Apollo 8 command module, which had been to the Moon, was also there. But the most popular exhibit was the supersonic Concorde. It flew over Paris as the show opened.

1971: Supersonic Rivals

The Soviet TU-144 supersonic airliner flew to Le Bourget. People compared it to the French Concorde. The world's largest aircraft, the American Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, also landed.

1973: A Quiet Show

A Bo 105C helicopter at the 1973 Paris Air Show.

The 1973 show was quieter. There were not many new aircraft. However, a serious accident involving the Soviet Tu-144 happened. This event is discussed in the "Accidents" section.

1975: Fighter Jet Competition

About 180 aircraft were planned to appear. Despite new safety rules, the flying displays were exciting. The American General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and the French Dassault Mirage F1 competed. Belgium later chose the F-16.

1977: Lindbergh's Flight Remembered

The show celebrated 50 years since Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. His widow, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, attended. New maritime-reconnaissance planes were shown. A crash of an A-10 tank-destroyer led to stricter rules for air show flights.

1979: Future Airliners

Two new airliners, the Airbus A310 and Boeing 767, were shown. They were competing for future sales. The Westland 30 transport helicopter looked promising. The Dassault Mirage 4000 fighter was a main highlight.

1981: Engine and Fighter Races

Big companies like Airbus and Boeing competed for the 150-seat airline market. Engine makers also competed. A model of the Northrop F-5G Tigershark fighter was displayed. A new trans-Atlantic race for light aircraft was also held.

1983: Space Shuttle and New Fighters

The American Space Shuttle Enterprise flew over Paris. It was a huge attraction. Models of two new fighter jets, the British Aerospace ACA and French Dassault Breguet ACX, were also shown. New sales of Boeing 757 and Airbus A310 planes were good news.

1985: Giant Lifter and New Engines

The Soviet Antonov An-124 Ruslan military plane was the largest exhibit. New Propfan engines also got attention. Boeing and Airbus announced many new contracts. The Hubble Space Telescope was planned to be launched soon.

1987: International Aircraft

New aircraft included the Soviet Mil Mi-34 Helicopter and the Israeli Super Phantom. Airbus announced orders for its new A330 and A340 airliners. China showed its aircraft for the first time. Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, who flew around the world without stopping, were also there.

1989: Soviet Space Shuttle and Fighter Moves

The giant Antonov An-225 Mriya carrying the Buran space shuttle in 1989.

The 1989 show featured technology from many countries. A Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter crashed during a flight, but no one was hurt. The Soviet space shuttle Buran and its huge carrier plane, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, were displayed. A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter showed off its amazing "Cobra" maneuver for the first time.

1991: Stealth and Soviet Planes

The US showed its F-117A Stealth Fighter. But many American companies stayed home. So, Soviet aircraft got a lot of attention. These included the Beriev A-40 amphibian plane and the Mikoyan MiG-31 interceptor. Dassault planned to make the new Mirage 2000-5 fighter.

1993: New Business Jets

The show had over 1,600 exhibitors and almost 300,000 visitors. Dassault showed its new Dassault Falcon 2000 business jet. Airbus announced it would make the 130-seat Airbus A319.

1995: Stealth Bomber on Display

A stealth B-2 Spirit bomber in 1995.

A major attraction in 1995 was the stealth B-2 Spirit bomber. Other bombers like the Tupolev Tu-160 were also there. The flying display included the Bell-Boeing V-22 tilt-rotor plane. Many other new and interesting aircraft were also shown.

1997: Regional Jets and Helicopters

America Eagle announced buying many regional jets from Embraer and Bombardier. Two Eurofighter Typhoon jets flew together. A model of the Bell Boeing 609 civil tilt-rotor aircraft was popular. A new anti-tank helicopter was also featured.

1999: Focus on New Orders

The 1999 show focused more on new sales contracts. New planes like the Fairchild Dornier 328JET and Boeing 717 were interesting. Airlines ordered many Embraer regional jets. Russian aircraft, like the Ilyushin Il-103, started getting approval for the American market.

2001: Speed vs. Size

Boeing showed models of its Boeing Sonic Cruiser, a very fast plane. The Airbus A380, a huge plane seating 555 people, was also there. Crowds visited the restored Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world's largest aircraft. Dassault showed a model of its new Dassault Falcon 7X business jet. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) was also discussed as a future replacement for older US planes.

2003: Concorde's Farewell and Drones

The Concorde supersonic jet made its last landing at Le Bourget. Dassault's Mirage 2000 and Rafale jets performed flying displays. Pilotless planes, also known as drones, like the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk and General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, got a lot of attention. Boeing talked about its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

2005: Many New Aircraft

Many new aircraft made their first appearance. These included Dassault's Falcon 7X and Gulfstream's G550 business jets. Embraer's EMB-195 regional jet and a new jet trainer were also shown. The Boeing 777-200LR and the Dassault UCAV Neuron drone were also present.

2007: Big Sales and New Drones

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 sold very well. A model of the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter was displayed. The IAI Heron TP drone was ready for production. A small, steer-by-leaning flying platform was also shown.

2009: A Century of Innovation

The 48th Paris Air Show celebrated 100 years of aviation and space travel. It took place from June 15 to 21. A special service was held for the victims of Air France Flight 447.

2011: Solar Power and Military Transports

The Solar Impulse solar-powered aircraft at Le Bourget in 2011.

The 2011 show was the 49th event. Over 2,100 companies from around the world exhibited. About 150 aircraft were on display. This included the amazing solar-electric plane, Solar Impulse. An Airbus A380 was damaged before the show. The new Airbus A400M Atlas military plane had an engine issue but still flew.

2013: Fewer US Fighter Jets

For the first time in over 20 years, American fighter jets were not displayed. This was due to budget cuts.

2015: Record-Breaking Show

The 2015 show was held in June. It featured new planes like the Dassault Falcon 8X and Airbus A350 XWB. Over 350,000 people visited. There were 2,303 exhibitors. The show made 130 billion euros in sales. It confirmed its place as the world's largest aerospace event. Airbus Helicopters announced a new helicopter, the Airbus Helicopters X6.

2017: Many New Aircraft and Orders

A model of the Airbus Helicopters X3-derived RACER in 2017.

The 52nd Air Show took place in June 2017. It had over 2,300 exhibitors from 48 countries. About 140 aircraft were shown. Many new planes made their first appearance. These included the Airbus A321neo and Boeing 787-10. French President Emmanuel Macron opened the show. It had many visitors and huge orders for new planes. Boeing led in new orders, followed by Airbus.

2019: More Records and New Planes

Static display at the Paris Air Show 2019.

The 53rd Air Show was held in June 2019. It had over 2,400 exhibitors from 49 countries. About 140 aircraft were displayed. This included the new Airbus A330neo and Boeing KC-46. Over 316,000 people visited. The show announced $140 billion worth of orders. Airbus had many orders, especially for its new A321XLR and A220 planes. Boeing also received many orders for its 737 MAX planes.

2021: Show Canceled

The June 2021 Paris Air Show was canceled. This was due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

2023: The Show Returns

The air show returned in June 2023. It was the first time it happened since the pandemic. The first four days were for aviation professionals. The last three days were open to the public.

Accidents at the Air Show

Safety is very important at air shows. Sadly, there have been some accidents during past Paris Air Shows. These events led to stricter safety rules for flying displays.

1961: Convair B-58 Hustler

A Convair B-58 Hustler plane crashed during a low-altitude flight. The pilots lost sight in a cloud. Three people on board died.

1965: Another Convair B-58

Another Convair B-58 crashed while landing. It touched down too early, before the runway. One pilot died, and two crew members were hurt.

1969: FH-1100 Helicopter

A Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 helicopter crashed. The pilot died. Witnesses reported a problem with the main rotor.

1973: Tu-144 Crash

On June 3, 1973, a Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 plane crashed during its display. It tried a very fast climb and then lost control. The plane broke apart and crashed. All six people on board died. Eight people on the ground also died, and many more were injured. The exact cause of this accident is still debated.

1977: A-10 Thunderbolt II

An A-10 Thunderbolt II plane crashed. The pilot died. This led to even tighter rules for air show demonstrations.

1989: Mikoyan MiG-29

A Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jet crashed during a demonstration flight. Luckily, no one was hurt in this accident.

1999: Sukhoi Su-30

A Sukhoi Su-30 plane crashed during a demonstration flight. No one was hurt in this incident either.