FARNBOROUGH, ENGLAND -The organization of Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) have banned Russia from participating in FIA 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. FIA is the biggest trade show of the year for European manufacturers and customers of commercial and military aircraft.

​​”Following the ongoing events taking place in Eastern Europe, we have made the decision to suspend Russian participation at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow, taking place in July. Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, and everyone affected by the current situation. We continue to hope for a timely and peaceful resolution,” FIA said in a brief statement on its website.

The ban is yet another measure against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. and a major blow to aerospace companies from Russia. The biennial event is used by the Russian companies to win new contracts for their latest commercial aircraft, like the Irkut MC-21 that made its international debut at the 2021 Dubai Airshow last November.

The Irkut MC-21 should’ve been the competitor for the Airbus A-320 and Boeing 737, but with a total of 192 aircraft that have been ordered by now, the sales results are quite disappointing for the Russians. There is also only one non-Russian airline with plans to order the airliner. Aeroflot has made the largest order for 50 aircraft of the MC-21.

The Farnborough International Airshow is very proud that it will resume its position as the pinnacle aerospace and aviation event in the industry as it returns 18-22 July 2022. The event attracts many thousands of visitors each day, including high-ranking government officials from around the globe. Billions of dollars in deals are usually announced by more than 1,500 exhibitors.

This summer will be the first time the airshow will be held since 2018, as the coronavirus pandemic caused the previous edition to be canceled in 2020. This time, however, will be a slightly different edition, without any Russian companies marketing their aircraft.

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Head photo: Denis Fedorko, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons