Farnborough Airshow The Farnborough International Airshow is a week - long event that combines a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with a public airshow . The first five days ( Monday to Friday ) are dedicated exclusively to trade , with the final two days open to the public . Flying occurs on all seven days , and there are also static displays of aircraft outside and booths and stands in the indoor exhibition halls . On the Saturday and Sunday most of the exhibitions halls are shut , but there is a funfair and children are admitted . The event is held in mid - July in even - numbered years at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire , England ; the next event will occur in 2014 . It alternates with the Paris Air Show , which is held in odd - numbered years and has a similar format . Both shows are important events in the international aerospace and defence industry calendars , and provide an opportunity to demonstrate civilian and military aircraft to potential customers and investors . The shows are also used for the announcement of new developments and orders , and attract media coverage . The UK show is organised by Farnborough International Limited , a wholly owned subsidiary of ADS Group Limited ( ADS ) . According to the organisers , the 2012 Farnborough show attracted 109 , 000 trade visitors over the first five days , and 100 , 000 public visitors on the Saturday and Sunday . Orders and commitments for 758 aircraft were announced , worth US $ 72 billion . From 1996 to 2010 , the show had its own official radio station operated by the staff and students of nearby Farnborough College of Technology , but it did not operate in 2012 . The Farnborough International Airshow is held in the same years as the Berlin Air Show , also known as the ILA , which is the other major event in the European aerospace business calendar . History . The Farnborough Airshow has its origins in the annual RAF Airshow at Hendon from 1920 to 1937 . On 27 June 1932 , the Society of British Aircraft Constructors held an exhibition of 35 aircraft by 16 companies at Hendon as a showpiece for the British aircraft industry . After World War II , the show recommenced at Radlett ( the site of Handley Page ' s airfield ) in 1946 and was held there until 1948 , when the show moved to its present location of Farnborough , Hampshire , home of the Royal Aircraft Establishment , about south - west of central London . The headquarters of the UK ' s principal aerospace firm , BAE Systems , is also in Farnborough . At the 1958 show , the Black Arrows executed a 22 - plane formation loop This was a world record for the greatest number of aircraft looped in formation , and remains unbroken to this day . Initially an annual event , the show has been biennial since 1962 . It has become an international event that welcomes exhibitors from all over the world — with the exception , during the Cold War , of countries behind the Iron Curtain . Dates . The 1948 show was held between 7 and 12 September ; it was the first show held at Farnborough . The 2010 show ( 19 – 25 July 2010 ) was the 47th edition of the Farnborough Airshow . The 2012 airshow ran from 9 to 15 July 2012 . The next airshow is planned for 14 – 20 July 2014 .