At the Farnborough International Airshow 2008—amid the ominous reverberations of rising fuel prices—there were many familiar outlines gracing the skies, but little that was new. The excitement was far more about agreements and technology than airframes, reports ALAN PEAFORD from London.

Trevor Sidebottom looked out from the balcony over the sea of chalets to focus on the runway where the lights were barely visible—this, in the middle of the afternoon. Ominous black skies that had unburdened itself over southern England enough to force an unprecedented cancellation of the Royal International Air Tattoo, hung menacingly over Farnborough. Quite like the gloom hanging over the aerospace industry with the $140 (Rs 5,875)-a-barrel oil price hitting home, observed the Managing Director of show organiser Farnborough International Limited wryly, voicing a concern clouding the Farnborough International Airshow, the world’s second largest industry trade event held from July 14 to 20.

Sunday, July 13. Hours away from the Red Arrows display team and, rather bizarrely, a Formula One racing driver strutting their stuff on and above that runway, the air hung heavy with question marks. Twenty four hours later, Sidebottom was rubbing his hands with glee. Racing driver Hamilton had blasted down the runway to beat a Learjet 60XR less than 500 ft above him. America’s latest showpiece—the F-22 Raptor—had done what it failed to do at Fairford and put on a magnificent display. Elsewhere, the big two civil manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, were pumping hands with sheikhs as potentially the world’s biggest ever order by a single airline was confirmed. In short, it was business as usual.

Farnborough was celebrating its 60th anniversary on the airfield that 100 years ago was the birthplace of British aviation. There was a time when only newly certificated aircraft or those in late development were allowed slots in the flying display. Today, there are many familiar outlines gracing the skies, but little that is new. Indeed, the excitement was far more about agreements and technology than airframes.

Of course, there were moments when nostalgia crept in. The halls were virtually deserted at 3.30 pm when an almighty roar of unmistakable Rolls-Royce Olympus 202 engines heralded the departure of the newly restored Vulcan bomber. However, as Sidebottom had said on the eve of the show, This is an event with a great legacy, but this is all about looking forward.