Organizers have postponed the world`s largest showcase for business jets - scheduled for next week in New Orleans - following Tuesday`s attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Nearly 40 Kansas companies, including Cessna Aircraft Co., Bombardier Aerospace and Raytheon Aircraft, were scheduled to be exhibitors at the National Business Aviation Association`s 54th annual meeting and convention. NBAA spokeswoman Cassandra Bosco says thgat a new date has not yet been set.

NBAA`s board of directors feel that the move was appropriate so that its members could redirect efforts and resources “toward national recovery and aid to the victims and their families,” according to a statement.

“It really comes down to, we think it`s the right thing to do,” said Cessna spokeswoman Marilyn Richwine.
Raytheon Aircraft late Wednesday afternoon flew a Beech 1900D to ship units of blood to the American Red Cross in Tucson. Tucson`s blood agency had shipped its blood to the East Coast, said Raytheon Aircraft spokesman Tim Travis.
company spokesman Dave Franson said that Bombardier is offering aircraft that it had planned to display at the show to the federal government through the offices of Kansas` congressional delegation,
“This year`s show was coming at a time when the economy is soft, airplane orders have slowed and aircraft manufacturers are working harder than ever to sell airplanes”.

The show is a popular place for planemakers to make announcements about new products or developments.

Cessna, Raytheon and Bombardier were planning news conferences in New Orleans.

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