The 2009 International Paris Air Show is set to open its 48th edition, which will run from June 15th through the 21st at the Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. The show is celebrating its 100th anniversary as the first Paris Air Show was held in 1909 at the Grand Palais in Paris. While the flying displays that take place daily from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm draw the largest crowds, there are many other things that go on at the air show.
The show is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, and for the first four days the show is only open to the press and trade visitors. The general public can visit the show on Friday, June 19th through Sunday, June 21st from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. The Le Bourget Exhibition Centre is located north of Paris, not far from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Visitors can take busses to the exhibition centre, and there are also connections from the Paris Metro.
In addition to the daily flying exhibitions there are many other events for visitors to see and things to do. There will be 30 historic aircraft on display to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the show, including a Bleriot XI, Fokker DR1, B17, Mustang and more. There are also many new models of planes that the exhibitors bring and have on display to see on the ground. The Patrouille de France aerobatics team will be putting on an awe-inspiring display on Saturday.
A total of 48 nations will be represented at the Paris Air Show with displays and exhibitions. There will also be 27 national pavilions at the show, with several countries participating for the first time. And of course there will be plenty of souvenir stands and shops for visitors to bring home their own piece of this historic show.
