Despite uncertainty in the global economy, organisers of the third Singapore Airshow, to take place on 14-19 February at the Changi Exhibition Centre, are confident the event remains important to the Asia-Pacific aerospace industry. The amount of covered exhibition space has increased by 6.5% from 2010, with about 900 exhibitors from more than 50 countries confirming their presence. Around 70% of those are returning exhibitors, says Jimmy Lau, managing director of Experia Events.
There were some last-minute drop-outs towards the end of 2011, reflecting the weak economic prognosis in Europe, but they were quickly replaced by others, Lau adds. The focus remains Southeast Asia, but increasingly there are more companies from throughout the Asia-Pacific making their presence felt at the biennial event.
 |
|---|
| © Experia Events More than 60 aircraft will be on static display, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus ACJ |
"While there is uncertainty in the global economy, all available space has been taken up," says Lau. "There will also be 22 national/group pavilions, including the USA, Germany, France, the UK and, for the first time at the Singapore Airshow, Japan and Ukraine."
Singapore-based ST Engineering will be the largest exhibitor once again, with the various companies under its umbrella - including ST Aerospace, one of the world's largest maintenance, repair and overhaul firms - having a strong presence.
Among the international companies which will have a major presence at the show are Boeing, EADS, United Aircraft, Comac, and Mitsubishi Aircraft.
Boeing, Airbus and ATR have indicated that there could be some order announcements at the show, coming as demand for narrowbody and regional aircraft continues to grow in the region.
There will be more than 60 aircraft on static display, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus ACJ. Military aircraft include Republic of Singapore Air Force Boeing F-15SGs and Lockheed Martin F-16Cs. Business jets include the Embraer Lineage 1000 and Dassault Falcon 7X.
One highlight this year will be the Unmanned Systems Showcase, which will feature companies - including those from China and Israel - displaying intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles for military, civil and commercial applications.
There will also be commercial aviation and security conferences on the sidelines of the air show, and country-specific business forums with presentations from aerospace buyers, high-level executives from government agencies and industry leaders.
These conferences will give visitors and exhibitors the chance to understand the procurement opportunities and strategies to tap into potential business prospects and joint ventures in critical markets, says Lau. "With each edition of the Singapore Airshow, the team strives to make it bigger, better and more innovative than the last," adds Lau.
A SUMMIT FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN AVIATION
kicking off this year's show, the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit - on 12-13 February - provided an opportunity for government leaders, airlines, airport operators, air navigation service providers and manufacturers to debate many of the issues affecting the industry in Southeast Asia.
These included building a successful and sustainable future for the industry and security challenges.
In total, the summit lined up more than 250 senior transport ministry and civil aviation officials, and airline executives from countries around the world, including Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and USA.
Speakers included International Civil Aviation Organisation president emeritus Assad Kotaite, and president Roberto Kobeh González, Singapore transport minister Lui Tuck Yew, IATA director general Tony Tyler, and European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas.
The event is organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Experia Events, IATA and the Singapore Ministry of Transport.
Source: Flight International
