Washington to extol aerospace industry at Paris Air Show

EVERETT — Washington is sending its largest-ever delegation to the Paris Air Show, the aerospace industry’s marquee trade show. The goal of the 63 delegates is to drum up more business for the state’s aerospace industry, one of Washington’s economic engines.

“As Washington state enters its second century of developing and building world-class aircraft, unmanned systems and space exploration vehicles, I know the future holds great promise for our aerospace industry,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement.

The state’s Department of Commerce director, Brian Bonlender, and Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., are heading the delegation. Larsen is the top-ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Aviation.

“The aerospace industry is an economic engine in the Pacific Northwest, and the aircraft produced by Washington workers are the envy of the world,” Larsen said in a statement. “I look forward to bringing that message to Paris, assisting my home state, and helping showcase all that Washington has to offer to the global aerospace community.”

The air show draws tens of thousands industry insiders to France every two years. It starts Monday and runs through Sunday.

Boeing is showing off its two newest jetliners: the 787-10 and the 737 MAX 9. The company is expected to officially launch its 737 MAX 10, the biggest version of the single-aisle jet. Other aircraft making appearances include Mitsubishi Aircraft’s MRJ90, Lockheed Martin’s F-35A, Airbus’ A321neo and A350-1000, Antonov AN-132D and Embraer’s E195-E2 and KC-390.

Mitsubishi’s MRJ90, a regional jet that seats about 90 passengers, landed Thursday at Le Bourget airport, which is hosting the air show. The aircraft, painted in the livery of launch customer All Nippon Airways, left from Moses Lake, where the company is conducting flight tests.

Mitsubishi is conducting flight testing in Washington rather than Japan, where the test schedule would be squeezed by crowded airspace and other constraints.

The state’s aerospace industry employs more than 136,000 people, produces about nine of every 10 commercial aircraft made in North America, and brings in more than $70 billion each year to the Washington’s economy, according to the Commerce Department.

Companies that were part of the state’s delegation to the 2015 Paris Air Show generated more than $125 million in business as a result, according to the department.

Businesses joining this year’s delegation include: