UK News
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Little to celebrate at Paris Air Show
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– John Bowker is UK Transport and Utilities Correspondent–
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It feels like a typical day at the Paris Air Show — terrible transport links, a vast complex of exhibition tents, planes of all sizes and noise so dreadful it’s impossible to talk, let alone use a mobile phone.
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One difference is the weather. It’s more like Manchester in February than Paris in June, chucking it down.
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Another is the mood. You’ll find happier people on the Northern Line during a Tube strike. It may be the centenary of the signature event of the aviation calendar, but there is little to celebrate this year.
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The world of passenger planes is suffering the toughest conditions on record. Airlines are grounding planes all over the world, and are expected by the industry body to rack up a combined $9 billion of losses this year. It’s hardly the time for going on a buying spree.
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The Wall
