In response to exhibitors’ concerns about the high cost of exhibiting on the international air show circuit, Farnborough International organizers have introduced a new schedule that will see the exhibit halls closed over the public weekend of the show (July 14-15).

Some visitors with long-standing connections to the industry, who might otherwise have attended on the public days, will also be allowed access to the exhibit halls on July 13. Remaining open throughout the full show period (July 9-15) will be the Space Zone in Hall 3 and the media center and restaurant in Hall 1A.

The change will reduce exhibitors’ staffing costs for the event and Farnborough International says it allows them to put more resources into the show’s flying display and public attractions. According to organizers, more than 50 percent of the costs associated with being involved in an air show now relate to staffing, transportation and accommodation, which bolsters the case for shortening the period for which full staffing is required by exhibitors.