Paris Air Show opens doors ‘full of uncertainties and questions’

THE Paris Air Show, the world’s premiere aviation showcase, opened to the public, flying buffs and professionals yesterday in the grip of the worst crisis in aviation history.

At a media preview of the biennial show at Le Bourget airport, near Paris, the gloom was palpable despite a three-ring circus atmosphere of roaring aerobatics overhead as hulking planes were towed around the fairgrounds.

Dassault Aviation chief executive Charles Edelstenne sounded the alarm in giving the first of many scheduled news conferences at what is known as the Salon du Bourget.