The Paris Air Show

The Paris Air Show (Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace, Paris-Le Bourget) is an international trade fair for the aerospace business. It is held at Le Bourget airport near Paris, France every odd year. 

The Paris Air Show is a commercial air show, organised by the French aerospace industry's body the Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS) whose main purpose is to demonstrate military and civilian aircraft to potential customers. It is one of the most prestigious in the world; traditionally, some major sales contracts are announced during the show as part of the corporate communication of the manufacturers. All major international manufacturers, as well as the military forces of several countries, attend the Paris Air Show.

The Paris Air Show traces its history back to the first decade of the twentieth century. In 1908 there was a section of the Paris Automobile Show dedicated to aircraft, and from 1909 there was an Air Show, held at the Grand Palais. There were four further shows before the First World War. The show re-started in 1919, and from 1924 they were held every two years. The shows were interrupted again by the Second World War, and they re-started again in 1946. Since 1949, they have been held in every odd-numbered year.

The shows continued to be held at the Grand Palais, and from 1949 flying demonstrations were staged at Orly Airport. In 1953, the show was relocated from the Grand Palais to Le Bourget.