Originally Posted by
Asturias56
That's true but it's also been the public "face" of the Aerospace industry in the UK for generations
By treating the public badly (and charging a fortune) the business is sending a very negative message to its natural supporters. These are the people with VOTES - if they give up on us then we have only ourselves to blame if and when the politicians ignore or actively act against our interests and concerns.
I do have to say the thought had crossed my mind that if Farnborough is effectively giving two fingers to the public they shouldn't be surprised if public support, such as it is, for things like planning permission and demonstration flights not to mention the inevitable noise and traffic disruption dwindles away. Perhaps thinking of the public weekend as a necessary cost of doing business may turn out later to have been the wiser choice?