Javier Pérez Alcaide – Commercial & Programs Director
15th September 2022
After four years break due to the pandemic, there was interest in learning first-hand about the most relevant developments in the sector: the long-awaited recovery of commercial aviation sales, the evolution of the so-called New Urban Mobility in a context of boost for the decarbonization of the aviation industry, and new projects in the making that may be launched in the coming months.
One of the highlights at this type of event is usually the sales announcements from the major aircraft manufacturers. There were noted announcements from Boeing and Embraer and, to a lesser extent, Airbus, which gradually consolidate a scenario of recovery in the sector, despite the uncertainties associated with the current economic and geopolitical environment. New Urban Mobility had a very noted presence this year with most of the companies with impressive stands physically presenting their products. Vertical, Joby, Lilium, Wisk and Eve, among others, demonstrated their progress in recent years. There were no announcements of new aircraft launches, but Embraer made it clear that it is still working on the possibility of launching its new Turboprop in the near future. BOOM is also continuing development of its new supersonic aircraft, the heir to the Concorde, and is making progress on product definition backed by recent orders from United Airlines. Aernnova had the opportunity to hold conversations with both of them regarding potential collaborations on both platforms.
The decarbonization of the industry was the focus at the Fair. The aviation sector, responsible for around 3 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, is under pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. At Farnborough we saw many initiatives aimed at this end: Rolls-Royce has announced partnerships on an early concept of a hydrogen engine, fuel cell systems and electric propulsion. Airbus has presented several innovations, such as a CO2 capture and storage project, or a prototype wing made of composite materials that will reduce aerodynamic drag and aircraft fuel consumption, Sustainable Fuels (SAF), and a long list of ongoing projects.
Aernnova had an outstanding presence at Farnborough 2022. For the first time with its own stand (I would like to thank Iratxe, Ann and Javier for the effort and work to make it happen) through which customers (Airbus, Gulfstream, Dassault, BAES…), suppliers, product advisors, institutions, etc. kept circulating during the four days. A multidisciplinary team of Aernnova (Procurement, Commercial, Institutional Relations, Operations, HAL, etc.) was in charge of keeping the pulse of meetings and visits balancing the agendas; their own and those of the stand; A logistical challenge, led by Iratxe and Ann, which was undoubtedly a success of participation and management.
Farnborough 2022, an exciting return of the industry to its routine of trade fairs and face-to-face meetings that are not at all replaceable by the virtual communication to which we have been mostly devoted in recent times.
Next year we will meet again… This time at Le Bourget.
