Farnborough Airshow Opening Ceremony Cancelled as New Prime Minister Weighs Schedule

The opening ceremony of the Farnborough International Airshow has been cancelled, GB News reported. Organisers took the step after Andy Burnham, expected to take office as prime minister on Monday following the departure of Sir Keir Starmer, did not confirm plans to attend on the scheduled opening day. Burnham becomes the first prime minister to miss the event since the Second World War.

Every sitting prime minister since 1945 has attended the show, which is held every two years and draws thousands of delegates from governments, armed forces and manufacturers. Industry leaders continue discussions with Burnham's team in the hope he will visit later in the week.

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.

The show is expected to feature major British firms including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Airbus alongside hundreds of international exhibitors. Organisers anticipate strong public attendance later in the week, with thousands of students and families visiting. The UK aerospace and defence sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of pounds to the national economy.

Burnham is poised to inherit a £5bn funding gap in Sir Keir Starmer’s newly published defence investment plan. This year's event follows the cancellation of the Royal International Air Tattoo amid US operations from its base at RAF Fairford linked to the Iran war. Dozens of MPs and officials from various government departments are still expected to attend.