Every other July, the aviation world convenes upon the small town of Farnborough in southern England for the Farnborough Airshow.
The biennial event, which kicked off July 14, is one of the industry's biggest sales and technology showcases. The Farnborough Airshow, which the Wall Street Journal describes as "part arms bazaar, part industrial petting zoo," is expected to be the setting for a flurry of commercial and military aviation wheeling and dealing.
According to Businessweek, the 2012 show netted $53 billion in sales. And the deals should continue to roll in: aircraft engine maker GE Aviation says it expects to take $30 billion in orders this week.
Sales aside, Farnborough is also the perfect opportunity for the world's aircraft manufacturers, air forces, and airlines to see and be seen. Everything from the fighter jets and airliners of the future to retired war birds from the Cold War will make an appearance this week.
Nearly a decade after its first flight, the Airbus A380 is still a crowd pleaser. This sheer magnitude of the Superjumbo is simply awe-inspiring, despite the fact it looks bit like a giant flying salmon.
In addition to the A380, the all-new Airbus A350XWB continues its sales tour as it tries to battle back from the devastating cancelation of Emirates' $16 billion order.
The A350XWB will be keen to impress potential buyers with its state-of-the-art construction, engines, and avionics.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider