{"id":276418,"date":"2025-06-06T04:47:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T04:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/aerospace\/115-years-of-unforgettable-highs-and-lows\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T04:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T04:47:10","slug":"115-years-of-unforgettable-highs-and-lows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=276418","title":{"rendered":"115 years of unforgettable highs and lows"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

One of the world\u2019s most celebrated aviation events will unfold at the International Paris Air Show from June 16 to 22, 2025, bringing together industry stakeholders and aircraft enthusiasts for seven days of flight focused events and displays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Known locally as Salon International de l\u2019A\u00e9ronautique et de l\u2019Espace<\/a>, the revered spectacle will be the 55th<\/sup> edition of the air show, which is held\u00a0every two years. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Spread across 70 hectares at Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG) over 300,000 visitors will tread the hallowed ground with 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries ready to greet air show guests. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Representatives from the civil aviation, defense and space sectors will all be present with companies keen to show off their latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among the Paris Air Show<\/a> highlights this year is the Space Lab where institutions, SMEs, and startups will come together and the Air Lab exhibition where guests can take part in an immersive experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"
Paris Air Show. Image: AeroTime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visitors are also being encouraged to visit the National Air and Space Museum of France.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The importance of the Paris Air Show (and its contemporaries in Dubai and Farnborough) to the aviation industry cannot be understated. These are the moments\u00a0when new\u00a0aircraft types are unveiled to the world for the first time, and billion-dollar contracts\u00a0are finally signed off.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The big stories from the Paris Air Show are yet to be revealed, with the all-important announcements no doubt going through their final rehearsals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With this in mind, AeroTime thought it was a good opportunity to reflect on moments from previous Paris Air Shows that have stood out since its inception way back in 1909.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

1909 \u2013 Inaugural Paris Air Show at Grand Palais\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Rather ironically, the Paris Air Show\u2019s journey actually began at the Paris Motor Show in 1908, as a small additional segment to the cars being showcased.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, in 1909, against the backdrop of Louis Bl\u00e9riot becoming the first person to cross the English Channel in a plane, it was finally aviation\u2019s time to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first official, independent event was held at the Grand Palais in Paris between September 25 and October 17, 1909, with over 100,000 visitors estimated to have attended.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Grand Palais saw the first indoor exhibition, the first airshow, known as Grande Semaine d\u2019Aviation de la Champagne, was held just a month before in Reims.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

1909 Paris Air Show.<\/p>\n

This is Tartarian \/ Old World Architecture. <\/p>\n

Absolutely beautiful! pic.twitter.com\/Oft1kEpIae<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Keith K (@My_TeslaModelS) December 7, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Among the aircraft at the opening Paris Air Show were the Bl\u00e9riot XI, Voisin Biplane, Antoinette IV and the Wright Flyer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event, designed to showcase mostly French early aviation technology and aircraft, was a resounding success and set the wheels in motion for the Paris Air Show to become the largest in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1949 \u2013 The first Paris Air Show after World War Two\u00a0<\/h2>\n

The 1949 Paris Air Show was a seminal moment as the first event held since World War Two when the exhibition was paused in 1938. \u00a0<\/p>\n

While the Grand Palais remained the main focus in 1949, it was decided that flight displays\u00a0should be held at Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG). The entire air show would eventually move to the airport in 1953.\u00a0<\/p>\n

International aircraft manufacturers from the US, UK and Soviet Russia also joined the spectacle as countries looked to the future after years of fighting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jet fighters including the de Havilland DH100 Vampire, Gloster Meteor and Dassault Oregan featured and wowed visitors with their futuristic capabilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was also the year that it was decided that the Paris Air Show would be held biennially, a now familiar pattern in the aviation industry calendar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1967 \u2013 Concorde unveiled to thousands \u00a0<\/h2>\n
\"Concorde
Concorde 001 in 1968<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In arguably one of the greatest moments in Paris Air Show history, Concorde made its public debut in June 1969 in front of a 250,000 strong crowd.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The French prototype Concorde 001 appeared before crowds first and was later joined by the British prototype Concorde 002, which flew over from UK for the occasion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Archive footage of the incredible scene showed the French Concorde 001 touch down momentarily before accelerating and taking off once again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both aircraft appeared in the sky together, but while Concorde 001 eventually landed, Concorde 002 sped back to the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although the media attention was at fever pitch, it would still be seven years before Concorde entered service in 1976. \u00a0<\/p>\n