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Paris-bound, Lindy-less
French officials says they'll know by year's end whether Northrop Grumman will be cleared to fly the unmanned Global Hawk to the Paris Air Show, replicating (without the solo pilot) Charles Lindbergh's pioneering 1927 New York-Paris flight in the 'Spirit of St. Louis'. Airshow Chairman and Messier-Dowty CEO, Louis Le Portz, tells Show News that event organizers are pushing for a go-ahead of the defense giant's plan, but the ultimate decision must be made by the French government. If approved, the feat will mark one of many zingers expected at the show, including demonstration flights by the Airbus A380 Superjumbo and Dassault Falcon 7X, and a 'show within a show' for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) built by small- and medium-sized businesses.
Participating companies and visitors will also need a bit less arm-twisting next year, as organizers have trimmed and reconfigured the show and lined-up discounts for hotels and airfares. Paris 2005 will have four industry days up front (June 13-16) followed by three days for industry and the general public. Negotiated deals with selected hotels will yield prices that are 15% to 35% below normal rates, say organizers, and a free shuttle bus will run between hotels and the air show. Air France will offer discounts of 10% to 40%, depending on the origin city, for bookings that run from May 15 to June 30 for exhibitors and June 1 to June 30 for visitors. Attendees can begin booking the flights on-line in January. Prices for chalets and stands will stay fixed at last's year's rates.
—John Croft
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