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As one of the biggest and most successful aerospace events in history, this year's Farnborough International Airshow did not disappoint.

Clouds of blue and red flooded the skies on the first day of the Farnborough Airshow, marking the beginning of the 60th anniversary celebrations.

As the Red Arrows soared above the crowds, the first wave of visitors poured in to witness the many stands, chalets and aircraft displays.

This year, the UK's largest aerospace event attracted more than 1500 exhibitors and some 140,000 trade visitors, a 5% increase on the 2006 show. In total 39 countries were represented, with 29 regional and international pavilions.

Despite widespread concern about rising oil prices, the airshow's high turnout proved the aviation business is still booming, particularly in the Middle East, with Etihad, Qatar and FlyDubai all investing in new aircraft.

In fact, within the show's first three business days, orders totalling US$35 billion had been announced.

Trevor Sidebottom, managing director of Farnborough International Ltd was delighted by the number of order pronouncements from the airlines in attendance.

"The airline industry continues to be hit by a combination of slowing economies and high fuel prices, which in turn have led to worries that aircraft manufacturers might cancel orders," he says.

"But on the evidence of the first two days at Farnborough, it is clear that both manufacturers and airline carriers are in fact expanding their fleets and routes to satisfy growing demand for air travel."

On the show's first day the Middle East's newest low cost airline, FlyDubai, announced an historic order for 54 Next-Generation 737-800 Boeing aircraft.

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