Arkansas at the Farnborough Airshow

This July, the Arkansas aerospace industry will be highlighted at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow by industry representatives from around the state.

A delegation of Arkansas officials, economic developers, and aerospace executives will be attending the Farnborough Airshow in England to promote the state’s business-friendly environment. This delegation will include Gov. Asa Hutchinson; Arkansas Economic Development Commission team members; and representatives from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, the Little Rock Regional Chamber, Runway Group, Galley Support Innovations, Arkansas World Trade Center, and the Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance.

Arkansas will have a booth at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022 and is looking forward to meeting with aerospace industry leaders to learn more about their companies.  At the booth, attendees can find out more about the aerospace industry in Arkansas, including the state’s aerospace workforce, educational opportunities, and existing companies. 

Arkansas Aerospace

Aerospace manufacturing plays a significant role in Arkansas’ economy, providing jobs for Arkansans across the state and key goods for the global economy. The goods that Arkansas aerospace workers produce make a global impact, and aircraft and aircraft-related parts and services is Arkansas’ top export. In 2020, the state exported more than $1 billion in aerospace and defense-related goods.

A robust aerospace workforce enables companies to thrive in Arkansas. Across the state, aerospace manufacturers employ 8,276 individuals, with 4,050 directly engaged in aerospace products and parts manufacturing.

Learn more about the Arkansas aerospace industry here.

Aerospace Manufacturers in Arkansas

Arkansas aerospace manufacturers are located throughout the state. Major Arkansas aerospace manufacturers include Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Raytheon Technologies, Esterline, and Dassault Falcon. Arkansas is also home to smaller aerospace manufacturers, including Rose Aircraft Services, Triumph Group, and many other aerospace companies.

At the Farnborough Airshow in England, there will be multiple Arkansas aerospace manufacturers with a presence at the exhibition. Some of these Arkansas aerospace manufacturers include Collins Aerospace, Ducommun, Lockheed Martin, Radius Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies, and Triumph Group.

Find a full list of exhibitors at the Farnborough International Airshow here.

Farnborough International Airshow 2022

The Farnborough International Airshow will be held July 18-22 at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.

Approximately 1,500 exhibitors, representing 96 countries, are expected to participate in this year’s Airshow. Event organizers estimate that more than $192 million worth of business deals will be conducted over the course of the event.

During the Farnborough International Airshow, there will be multiple events that attendees can participate in, including an Aerospace 4.0 Zone, a Flying Display, a Research & Development Zone, a Space Zone, and an Urban Air Zone.  

History of the Farnborough International Airshow

The Airshow dates back to the early 1930s when Society of British Aircraft (SBAC) manufacturers held shows at the Hendon Aerodrome. Starting in 1932, SBAC held annual airshows until 1937. The airshow was cancelled in 1938 and would not be revived until 1946 due to World War II.

Starting in 1948, the Airshow has been based at Farnborough, located approximately 40 miles southwest of London. The first show at the Farnborough Aerodrome lasted a week and had 187 exhibiting companies and 70 aircraft on display.

The Farnborough Airshow became a biennial exhibition in 1962 and went international in 1974, with 31 foreign-made aircraft displayed at the show.

To read more about the history of the Farnborough International Airshow, click here.