Paris Airshow opens under cloud of India crash Mideast conflict

PARIS - The Paris Airshow opens on June 16 with its usual fanfare of aircraft orders expected to be tempered by concerns over India’s deadliest air disaster and escalating missile strikes between Israel and Iran that have rattled the global aviation industry.

Every two years, Le Bourget Airport in the northeast of Paris is transformed into a showcase for the aerospace and defence industry, its sprawling tarmac lined with fighter jets, commercial airliners and autonomous drones.

In the pristine white chalets along the flight line, aerospace executives, government officials and military delegations gather to strike deals and discuss the geopolitical forces shaping the future of aviation.

Delegates say they expect this years event from June 16 to 20 to be more sombre and several public activities to be scaled back after last weeks air disaster, when an Air India Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing over 240 people.

Investigators are gathering data on the engine, wing flaps and landing gear, though it is too early to draw conclusions, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters in India.

Indias aviation regulator has ordered safety checks on the airlines 787 fleet.

The industry has also been shaken by missile strikes between Iran and Israel, which erupted on June 13 - just a day after the India crash - forcing carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region.

Aerospace and defence executives are also grappling with uncertainty over US President Donald Trumps shifting tariff policies, which many say have been impacting aircraft, engines and parts, disrupting global supply chains, driving up production costs and straining international partnerships.

The shows opening coincides with the 10th anniversary of Mr Trumps first run for office in 2015 ahead of his first term. But it is