Today, the stand builders and project managers are making the last changes to structures they started to install at the end of April, testing the exhibits and adding the finishing touches to their design and presentation. Meanwhile, the reception programs for business delegations and conferences are being perfected. Everybody, including the cleaning staff, is putting in a final burst of effort.
The last aircraft are expected to fly in today. While the vintage fleet of EADS aircraft is already practising its impressive aerial display routines, everyone is looking forward excitedly to the arrival of the A380.
The high point of tomorrow’s events will be the official visit by German chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel to attend the opening of the Berlin Air Show ILA2008. She will be accompanied by the Indian defence minister Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony, whose country features as this year’s partner nation, and by the German minister for economics and technology, Michael Glos, among others.
After a brief opening ceremony with speeches by Chancellor Merkel, and by Dr. Thomas Enders in his capacity as president of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) as well as head of Airbus, under the mighty wings of the A380, the government delegations will set out on an exhaustive tour of the exhibits, which naturally includes the EADS stand.
