Vladimir Borisov, AVIASALON JSC
Release Date: 2009-02-10
Mr. Borisov, how did you become the organizer of the International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS)?As a matter of fact, I was destined to work here: 33 years ago I started my career at this airfield as the chief test flight engineer of Tu-160. During that period, the Russian aviation was on the rise, and in the late 80s a new tradition appeared here: each year, on the Day of Aviation (August, 18), test pilots made (acrobatic) flights from the airfield to demonstrate their skills above the Moscow river for the city resident’s eyes only. I participated in the organization of these flights as the chief test flight engineer. Eventually, this tradition came to be Mosaeroshow, and Mosaeroshow turned into MAKS.
There is a wide choice of airshows in the world: Farnborough in Great Britain, Le Bourget in France, Zhuhai Airshow in China, AeroIndia in Bangalore. Is there anything peculiar about the Russian airshow?
All foreign airshows are mainly business sites. The Russian airshow also has this ambition but the fact is that Russians love aviation. That is why the Russian airshow combines two apparently incompatible elements: a business airshow and an aviation holiday. As a rule, during the first three days we invite the business participants of the airshow, and, during the last three days, we invite all the admirers of the spectacular performance of Russian pilots and of the excellence of the equipment. This is what makes our airshow a spectacular aviation party.
You obviously need to attract European companies as well. How do you do that?
Our experts participate in almost all the world airshows where they establish personal contacts with our future partners. Moreover, organization of the new team of participants for the next airshow begins straight away after the previous one. For instance, our representatives are currently at the Bangalore airshow negotiating with foreign delegations to create the list of participants for the coming MAKS-2009.
The purpose of foreign participants is to offer their product on the Russian market. Does such an opportunity exist?
The Russian aviation market is active and foreign companies find new clients here. Currently, Russia is starting to develop a General Aviation (NE: civil, non-scheduled aviation), so this creates a niche for small suppliers of navigation equipment and radio equipment.
How will MAKS-2009 differ from MAKS-2007? Are any innovations planned?
Firstly, all the traditional groundwork will remain. Samples of aviation equipment that is in its final production stage - such as Sukhoi SuperJet - will probably be shown at the airshow. This year we will also expand the business component of MAKS and plan two major events: the Second International Congress of Transport Aviation, and ‘Parliament Day’, when representatives of the European Parliament will discuss aviation development in Russia and the application of the European experience to Russian legislative initiatives.
Russia is developing its General Aviation, and we are putting special emphasis on the business side of MAKS-2009. State authorities are preparing documents that will, if approved, give the green light for a broader development of General Aviation in Russia.
As MAKS is a very large airshow in terms of number of participants and aircraft, one of the innovations that we plan is the so-called “display in a display”: a site where you can not only watch a business aviation stand, helicopters, general aviation, but also buy equipment and make a test flight.
40 countries participated in MAKS-2007 with many representatives from China, Latin America and Middle East. Do you expect more European participants at MAKS-2009?
I presume that the participants will be equally distributed. 2007 was dedicated to the Year of China in Russia and we plan Days of France for 2009. That does not mean that the number of companies will not increase but that the accent will be on the business side.
What is the impact of the global financial crisis on the attractiveness of MAKS for the visitors?
Although the crisis goes on, initially we expected worse results, especially after we saw a lower number of foreign delegations at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2008 (China). Nevertheless, we are currently ahead of the 2007 schedule. We expect a lot of foreign delegations: the site remains attractive and the there are more applications than last year. Previous agreements with foreign companies, such as Boeing and Airbus, remain in force; the volume of agreements is as well the same.
While there was no quantitative impact of the crisis, did (and will) it affect the quality and potential investments?
I believe that quantity and quality go together in this kind of business. Our task is to provide a good site for business deals. As the organizer, I can confidently say that the quality of the airshow will improve whereas the quality of the deals as such will depend on the global business conditions.
What measures will you take to improve the infrastructure of the airshow?
To start with, we aim to equip all facilities with air conditioning. As far as transport infrastructure is concerned, it is difficult to change the access system to Zhukovsky because it is rooted in construction plans of the transport and exhibition complex. To improve the accessibility of the site, we are introducing innovative solutions that help to reduce waiting time at the entrance.
This year we have also developed special conditions for VIP-visitors: we are planning a very comfortable lounge with improved catering and accommodation service for the guests to watch the flight program.
What would you like foreign visitors to remember from MAKS-2009?
Unlike all other world airshows, the strongest impression that MAKS leaves is that of an aviation holiday. The performance of Russian pilot groups, such as “Russian Knights” and “Swifts” that will participate in MAKS-2009, always strikes the visitors.
In Soviet times, the Russian aviation played a very important role in the world. Unfortunately, since then a lot of Russian civil aviation brands have lost their former position. How do you see the future of Russian aviation?
It might sound subjective because I’m a strong believer in Russian aviation, but I’m confident that, even if it is impossible to rebuild its former high profile, Russia is destined to be one of the world aviation leaders.
| Company: | AVIASALON JSC |
| Position: | General Director |
| Country: | Russian Federation |