Irkut MC-21 mid-range jet airliners perform at the Maks 2021 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, in July 2021. Reuters
Irkut MC-21 mid-range jet airliners perform at the Maks 2021 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, in July 2021. Reuters
Irkut MC-21 mid-range jet airliners perform at the Maks 2021 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, in July 2021. Reuters
Irkut MC-21 mid-range jet airliners perform at the Maks 2021 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, in July 2021. Reuters

Farnborough air show bans Russia from attending 2022 event


Soraya Ebrahimi
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Organisers of this summer's Farnborough International Airshow in England have banned Russia from taking part, in response to the Ukraine crisis.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, and everyone affected by the current situation," the organisers said. "We continue to hope for a timely and peaceful resolution.”

The ban from the July event is the latest consequence of the offensive against Ukraine, and a blow to Russian aerospace companies that use the event to market their aircraft.

Russian companies usually have a large presence at the year’s biggest show for European makers and customers of airliners and military aircraft.

In recent years, Russia has largely displayed new commercial airliners and helicopters at Farnborough. It has been trying to sell the MC-21, a commercial airliner similar in size to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A-320.

Only one non-Russian airline has plans to operate the plane, which made its international debut at the Dubai Airshow in November.

The event typically draws tens of thousands of people, including high-level government officials from around the world.

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, watch a display on the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, watch a display on the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • An aerobatic display at the show. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    An aerobatic display at the show. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by Sheikh Saif, watches the display. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by Sheikh Saif, watches the display. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed attended the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed attended the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, tour the Edge stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
    Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, tour the Edge stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, walks around on the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, walks around on the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visits the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visits the second day of the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Billions of dollars in deals are usually announced by more than 1,500 exhibitors.

This summer will be the first time the air show near London is being held since the coronavirus pandemic cancelled the 2020 event.

Updated: March 03, 2022, 5:38 AM