Farnborough
A look at the aviation industry, BP, banks in Europe, and financial reform in the US.
I love everything to do with flying.
Planes, airports, check-in, business class lounges, explaining to immigration staff who I am and why I’m going somewhere!… I’ve been flying for years and the buzz hasn’t worn off.
And while it is disappointing we couldn’t bring you CTC from the Farnborough Airshow in the UK this week, we have got a whole stack of stories and interviews from there for you, so that is something to still be excited about!
I hate to run the cliché again, but the undoubted star of this year’s airshow was Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
It is an indication, I think, of how well Boeing has marketed the plane as well as the obvious credentials it has. Have a read here if you’re not up to speed with the Dreamliner – in short, it is a more environmentally-friendly plane, lighter, uses less fuel, and will apparently be more comfortable for the passenger. All good news.
And as I say, all sold very well to the public. To look at from the outside, the Dreamliner is nothing spectacular … certainly nothing like Airbus’ A380 superjumbo jet which is an awesome sight … but certainly Boeing’s plane was attracting a lot interest on her first flight outside of the US because of the buzz surrounding the plane.
So this week we’ll look at the Dreamliner, analyse it with David Learmount from Flight International magazine, and also speak to Boeing’s competitor Airbus.
It didn’t have a new plane to show off at Farnborough this year as such, but it had a very interesting “concept plane”… and we’ll talk to its chief engineer Charles Champion about that and the great rivalry with Boeing.
And while we’re talking aviation, why not check out our special broadcast from the Dubai Airshow last November … it’ll give you some good background to where the industry was then, and how things have changed since.
Plus the rest of your economic and business news from around the world – BP, bank stress-testing in Europe, financial reform in the US – and of course our new segment Money Talks which this week looks at the woes of Europe’s beleaguered banks.
And don’t forget to send us your views … look up our twitter page for this week’s question, and send your views to me via DM or tweet!
Counting the Cost can be seen each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 1430, 2130; Saturday: 0430, 1230, 1900; Sunday: 0230, 1630; Monday: 0830.