Deal struck on first morning of Farnborough International Air Show

Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ with the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) – on the first day of the Farnborough International Air Show.

The American institute is a collaboration between a number of organisations, businesses and universities - including the NASA Glenn Research Center.

FAC and OAI have similar aims and objectives for their members, including business and supply chain expansion.

The new partnership is designed to build links between their members in order to increase business across the Atlantic.

Alan Fisher, chief executive officer of FAC, said: “Part of our role is to help our members win new business.

“This partnership will enable us to build strong links with businesses and other aerospace organisations in Ohio.

“It will help forge new relationships and we know that international collaboration is fundamental in keeping aerospace moving forward.

“While most of our members are from the south and south-east, we have members from across the country and around the world.

“As aerospace is a truly global industry we must look to all areas of the world to benefit our members, which in turns benefits the country.”

John Sankovic, president and CEO of Ohio Aerospace Institute, said: “We are a collaboration between government, academia and industry.

“After 33 years we are moving further afield because aerospace is global. One of our biggest aerospace trade partners is the UK so this partnership with FAC is logical.

“There is $800m’s worth of aerospace trade between Ohio and the UK and we want to grow that and this partnership will help enable it.”

David Clifford, leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “This partnership is exactly what we want to see from the air show.

“It will bring business into the region and will benefit the local aerospace industry and its supply chain.

“It will also create high-skilled jobs for local workers in the booming aerospace sector and related industries.”