Exhibitors from 42 countries are displaying 242 civilian and military aircraft at Le Bourget airport north of the French capital.

BBC: air show

However, the notable absence of U.S. business and Air Force top brass is still one of the hottest topics at Le Bourget.

CNN: Airbus lifts Air Show's U.S. gloom

This year's Paris Air Show will take place at Le Bourget exhibition centre on the outskirts of Paris from 20 to 26 June 2011.

BBC: Sowing the seeds of tomorrow's aircraft

Some at Le Bourget have found it difficult to understand why the U.S. has scaled back when the global industry could have done with their presence.

CNN: Airbus lifts Air Show's U.S. gloom