Airbus, Boeing compete in UK

FARNBOROUGH, UK (WALA) - A financial "dogfight" is underway at the Farnborough International Air Show, outside London.

Airbus and Boeing are looking for the competitive edge when it comes to the multi-billion dollar aircraft market, but they aren't the only ones competing this week.

Just down the "street" from Defense News, lies the Alabama's exhibit at the Airshow.

It boasts "a better place to build a better world" and the backdrop prominently features Airbus Military, with the A320 still to come.

It's attracting a lot of attention in the wake of the Airbus deal, but there is lots of competition.

From Mississippi to Florida to China to Portugal to Quebec to Switzerland to Russia, there are plenty of locations waiting for their chance at revenue from the aviation industry, as well as other companies like Lockheed-Martin, which builds the "Super Hercules."

That's why it's important to be here. Especially with international companies, personal relationships are almost as necessary as the bottom line.

Beth Kirkland with Florida's Great Northwest said,"You have to have a presence so that you can represent the companies in your region. We're a regional economic development effort."

The Airbus deal may have put Mobile on the map but there is still plenty of competition for it out there.