Fla., Ala. Governors in Europe

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Florida Governor Rick Scott and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley are in Europe this weekend. Both will be stopping by the Farnborough International Airshow .

Governor Scott and several members of his staff left for a five day trip Saturday. Scott's aide Brian Burgess says the governor has a series of meetings scheduled with executives in the aerospace industry who are in England for the airshow.  

The Florida governor's visit also includes a visit to the world's leading market for specialist insurance, Lloyd's of London.

Governor Bentley and his entourage started their European trip Thursday with a visit to an Airbus manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany. He also met with Airbus officials to discuss the company's new facility that will be built at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile. Airbus made the announcement on Monday.

Friday, Governor Bentley thanked leaders of Daimler AG for the company's continued expansion of the Mercedes-Benz facility in Tuscaloosa County.

“It was nearly 20 years ago when Mercedes-Benz chose Alabama as the site of its U.S. assembly plant, and since then, Mercedes-Benz has been an excellent corporate citizen in Alabama,” Governor Bentley said.  

“Today’s meeting was a great opportunity to thank Dr. Zetsche for the continued updating of the Alabama facility in order to meet market demand.  With the C-Class coming, we are well-positioned to build a variety of products that consumers are eager to purchase.  Mercedes-Benz laid the foundation for the automotive industry in Alabama, and we appreciate the company’s continued commitment to the state.”

Governor Bentley's final stop will be at the air show on Sunday. There he will meet with key aviation and aerospace industry figures and other senior government officials. The goal is to continue the progress that has been made in attracting new, high-tech industries and employment opportunities for Alabama.  Aerospace is one of 11 specific business sectors that Alabama is pursuing for additional development as part of the Accelerate Alabama plan.

At the last Farnborough Airshow in 2010, nearly 1,500 exhibitors from 40 countries and 120,000 trade visitors were in attendance.  Farnborough provides an excellent opportunity for members of the aviation and aerospace supply chains to come together, meet with customers, and discuss future opportunities.

FOX10 News Anchor Bob Grip is also going to be at the Farnborough International Airshow. Look for his reports on air starting Sunday evening, and online here at fox10tv.com.