PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With less than 4 months to go until the opening of the world's largest aviation and space industry show, the exhibition areas for the International Paris Air Show are now fully reserved.

As Louis Le Portz, Chairman of the Show, is delighted to explain, "Apart from a very small number of chalet units, the show is now full, a few weeks ahead of the usual marketing schedule. We are extremely confident and are convinced that this year's show will mark the economic recovery for our sectors".

It is a fact that, among the exhibitors, 42 countries will be represented at the show.

Set-up begins 6 months before the show opens

In order to host the world of aviation and space, a part of the International Paris Air Show is entirely reconstructed every two years, with:

• 25 buildings and temporary structures used for show reception and organisation
• 6,000 to 10,000 people working on the show site, and unloading 10,000 trucks
• 4,000 telephone lines and 30km of fiber optics
• 50 cctv cameras
• A press centre covering an area of 1,000 sqm
• More than 2km of business chalets, the construction of which began in early January 2011
• ...

"Every two years, we build the equivalent of a town with 10,000 inhabitants, in order to host 300,000 visitors" explains Louis Le Portz.

A fully renovated exhibition centre

Le Bourget exhibition centre, which was built for the show in the early 1950s, has grown constantly and was in need of renovation.

In 2009, the gate L3 reception was prioritized and 70,000sqm of car parking areas were put in place. This year, two months of work have been necessary in order to, among other projects:

• Transform the "Champs Elysées" (the main aisle which links the halls)
• Level the ground, removing all pavements
• Repaint the exhibition halls
• Create leafy areas and relaxation zones around the halls
• Renovate the Club restaurant terrace
• Improve access for people with disabilities
• Renovate the conference centres

The aim of this work is to give the exhibition centre a new image.

The Show will have invested almost 4 million euros in this renovation programme.

About the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget

The International Paris Air Show, which was created in 1909 at the Grand Palais in Paris, is the world's oldest and largest show for the industry.

It has been the venue for numerous aviation and space events, and continues to present the sector's latest developments to a wide audience, from both the trade and the general public.

The International Paris Air Show, the key event for the whole industry, is organised by SIAE, a 100%-owned subsidiary of GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales).

Key figures (2009 show):

• 2,000 international exhibitors
• 138,000 trade visitors
• 193,000 general public visitors
• 130,000m² of exhibition area sold (Halls, village, chalets and static area)
• 192,000m² of exhibition space for aircraft
• Over 140 aircraft performing flying displays and exhibited
• 205 official delegations from 88 countries
• 3,000 journalists from all over the world

Practical information:

• Trade-only days (under 16s not admitted): Monday 20 to Thursday 23 June 2011
• "Student" day: Friday 24 June 2011 (Free entry with proof of student status)
• Open to the general public: Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June 2011
• Times: 9.30am - 6pm

For more information, please visit our website: www.paris-air-show.com

Information on GIFAS: www.gifas.fr

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