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Russia withdraws delegates from Farnborough air show Russia withdraws delegates from Farnborough air show
(about 2 hours later)
Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has told his country's defence delegates to withdraw from the Farnborough International Air Show and return home after being snubbed by the British government over the Ukraine conflict.Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has told his country's defence delegates to withdraw from the Farnborough International Air Show and return home after being snubbed by the British government over the Ukraine conflict.
The latest diplomatic incident came at the opening of the aerospace and defence industry's major sales fair in Hampshire and followed the UK government's efforts to actively discourage Russian attendance at the show. This year's show is marked by a visit from the British prime minister, David Cameron.The latest diplomatic incident came at the opening of the aerospace and defence industry's major sales fair in Hampshire and followed the UK government's efforts to actively discourage Russian attendance at the show. This year's show is marked by a visit from the British prime minister, David Cameron.
"I recommend our delegation to wind up its participation in the show and return home," Rogozin, who heads Russia's defence sector, tweeted."I recommend our delegation to wind up its participation in the show and return home," Rogozin, who heads Russia's defence sector, tweeted.
The UK government traditionally invites representatives from selected foreign governments to attend Farnborough as its guests, but this year said that "due to Russian actions in Ukraine, no representatives from the Russian government have been issued [UK government] invitations to Farnborough".The UK government traditionally invites representatives from selected foreign governments to attend Farnborough as its guests, but this year said that "due to Russian actions in Ukraine, no representatives from the Russian government have been issued [UK government] invitations to Farnborough".
It added: "The government has also taken clear action to remove Russia from the list of countries eligible to use open general export licences, in order to discourage Russian attendance at [the show] ... No foreign government representatives attending [Farnborough] as guests of [the UK government] will be escorted around the Russian pavilion by officials." It added: "The government has also taken clear action to remove Russia from the list of countries eligible to use open general export licences, in order to discourage Russian attendance at [the show] … no foreign government representatives attending [Farnborough] as guests of [the UK government] will be escorted around the Russian pavilion by officials."
The UK government action does not affect Russian businesses exhibiting at the show. This year a Russian state-owned arms firm, which supplied attack helicopters and grenade launchers to the Syrian regime, is exhibiting fighter jets.The UK government action does not affect Russian businesses exhibiting at the show. This year a Russian state-owned arms firm, which supplied attack helicopters and grenade launchers to the Syrian regime, is exhibiting fighter jets.
The Farnborough show is a major biennial event in the aerospace industry, in which official defence delegations study the latest military hardware and huge companies compete for sales. Each year the airline groups Boeing and Airbus compete not just for new orders but also for which company can make the most noteworthy announcements.. The Farnborough show is a major biennial event in the aerospace industry, in which official defence delegations study the latest military hardware and huge companies compete for sales. Each year the airline groups Boeing and Airbus compete not just for new orders but also for which company can make the most noteworthy announcements.
Airbus landed the first blow in that traditional battle on Monday with the launch of its eagerly awaited, fuel-efficient upgrade to its long-haul A330 passenger jet, the A330neo.Airbus landed the first blow in that traditional battle on Monday with the launch of its eagerly awaited, fuel-efficient upgrade to its long-haul A330 passenger jet, the A330neo.
The A330neo, which is viewed as a direct competitor to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and powered by British Rolls-Royce engines, cuts fuel consumption by 14% per seat, according to Airbus. Deliveries of the revamped aircraft start in late 2017.The A330neo, which is viewed as a direct competitor to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and powered by British Rolls-Royce engines, cuts fuel consumption by 14% per seat, according to Airbus. Deliveries of the revamped aircraft start in late 2017.
The Airbus Group chief executive, Tom Enders vowed to "keep the A330 flying high for many more years to come". The Airbus Group chief executive, Tom Enders, vowed to "keep the A330 flying high for many more years to come".
Airbus has sold about 1,300 A330s since its launch in 1993, of which the vast majority are still in service. Airbus estimates that the A330neo could sell more than 1,000 units.Airbus has sold about 1,300 A330s since its launch in 1993, of which the vast majority are still in service. Airbus estimates that the A330neo could sell more than 1,000 units.
In the absence of new technologies or revolutionary materials – such as lightweight carbon composites used in the new fuel-efficient planes – the launch of a brand new passenger jet is not envisaged for a further five to seven years.In the absence of new technologies or revolutionary materials – such as lightweight carbon composites used in the new fuel-efficient planes – the launch of a brand new passenger jet is not envisaged for a further five to seven years.
This has forced Airbus and Boeing into modernising current models, such as the US giant's 777X, a new version of its jumbo jet that seats between 350 and 450 passengers.This has forced Airbus and Boeing into modernising current models, such as the US giant's 777X, a new version of its jumbo jet that seats between 350 and 450 passengers.
Airbus and Boeing are also revamping their medium-haul A320 and 737 planes, respectively.Airbus and Boeing are also revamping their medium-haul A320 and 737 planes, respectively.
Airbus also announced that International Airlines Group, parent of British Airways and Spain's Iberia, had converted 20 A320neo options into a firm order, for delivery in 2018 and 2019.Airbus also announced that International Airlines Group, parent of British Airways and Spain's Iberia, had converted 20 A320neo options into a firm order, for delivery in 2018 and 2019.
IAG indicated that it had received a substantial discount on each plane's list price of about $103m (£60m).IAG indicated that it had received a substantial discount on each plane's list price of about $103m (£60m).