The world’s top civil and military aircraft makers have gathered in Paris for the Le Bourget air show.

Traditionally they unveil new orders during the trade part of the show, but this year the financial crisis means slim pickings. With passenger and cargo traffic falling airlines are holding off or even postponing or cancelling orders. Airbus and Boeing have both recently cut their forecasts for plane orders. Business-jet makers Cessna and Gulfstream are not even attending the show this year. However, the Russian manufacturer Sukhoi said it is confident of sales for its Superjet-100 developed with Italy’s Finmeccanica and which is being unveiled in Paris. The medium-haul plane, which carries up to 95 passengers, is Russia’s first post-Soviet era airliner and should have a big domestic market. The biennial Paris show is marking its 100th anniversary this year. Despite the economic downturn there are a record 2,000 exhibitors from 48 countries at Le Bourget.More about: Airbus, Airlines, Boeing, France

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