The opening ceremony of Britain’s largest defence show has been cancelled amid uncertainty over whether incoming prime minister Andy Burnham will attend.
Mr Burnham, who is expected to take office on Monday following the departure of Sir Keir Starmer, has not confirmed plans to visit this year’s Farnborough International Airshow on the same day.
As a direct result of Mr Burnham’s expected absence, organisers said the traditional opening ceremony would not go ahead, making him the first Prime Minister to miss the event since the Second World War.
Industry leaders are said to be continuing discussions with Mr Burnham’s team in the hope he will visit later in the week.
They argue the Farnborough event provides a rare opportunity for Britain’s political leadership to engage directly with senior defence officials, aerospace executives and international partners.
The Farnborough International Airshow attracts thousands of delegates from around the world, including representatives from governments, armed forces and leading manufacturers.
Every sitting Prime Minister since 1945 has attended the event, which is held every two years.
Companies use the event to unveil new aircraft, announce commercial deals, and discuss future defence programmes, making it one of the industry’s most influential gatherings.
The Farnborough International Airshow attracts thousands of delegates from around the world
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Kevin Craven, chief executive of ADS, the organisation representing the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, said he remained optimistic that the Makerfield MP would attend, despite the demands of forming a new government.
He described the airshow as a showcase for British innovation and manufacturing, saying it highlights the country’s strengths in advanced engineering, exports and skilled employment.
Mr Craven added that the event offers an important platform for a new prime minister to outline priorities for economic growth, investment and national security.
The show is expected to feature major British firms, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Airbus, alongside hundreds of international exhibitors.
Organisers also expect strong public attendance later in the week, with thousands of students and families visiting to explore careers in engineering and aviation.
The UK aerospace and defence sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of pounds to the national economy, but Mr Burnham is poised to inherit a £5bn funding gap in Sir Keir’s newly published defence investment plan.
Industry figures have expressed concern that missing the event could send the wrong signal at a time when defence spending and military cooperation are under increased scrutiny.
Andy Burnham is expected to be busy on Monday being sworn is as prime minister
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Sir Keir attended shortly after he became Prime Minister in 2024, launching the Skills England apprenticeship initiative and viewing BAE’s future fighter display.
Similarly, Boris Johnson spent four hours at the show in 2022, regaling audiences with anecdotes about a flight in a Typhoon warplane the previous week.
Previous Labour prime ministers to have visited the show include Harold Wilson, Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Six secretaries of state were at the 2024 show.
This year’s Farnborough event comes after the cancellation of the Royal International Air Tattoo, the world’s largest military air show, amid US operations from its base at RAF Fairford linked to the Iran war.
While dozens of MPs and officials from various government departments are expected to attend, uncertainty remains over which members of Mr Burnham’s developing cabinet will be present under the circumstances.
Organisers say they hope the new prime minister will still make time to visit before the week is out, describing the airshow as an important opportunity to reinforce Britain’s role as a global leader in aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing.