Singapore Airshow 2012 is flying high, on the back of a threefold increase in the value of deals sealed and a record turnout by the time the doors were shut to trade visitors on Friday.
Over four days, almost US$32 billion (S$40 billion) in sales were inked, a new peak for the biennial event. The highlight was the mega US$22.4 billion aircraft order that Indonesian carrier Lion Air signed with Boeing.
The show also attracted an estimated 45,000 trade visitors, about 10,000 more than during the 2010 edition.
Giving a wrap of the four-day trade segment at a media conference on Friday, Mr Jimmy Lau, managing director of show organiser Experia Events, said that the Singapore Airshow intends to ride on new opportunities to grow its business and relevance.
For example, a much larger Chinese presence can be expected at the next airshow in 2014.
This will reflect the growing significance of the China market, which is at the centre of Asia's aviation boom, he said. The Chinese pavilion, which occupied 700 sq m this year, will be three times bigger at the 2014 airshow and, for the first time, will also include government representation.
The intention is for the Singapore Airshow to be the international platform for Chinese aviation firms, Mr Lau said.
While there are several aerospace and defence shows held in China, they serve a largely domestic market.
Referring to Chinese aviation firms, he said: 'They still have to go outside of China to compete and get a slice of the international market and to show that they can sell outside of China.'
And a strong Asia-Pacific slant is what makes the Singapore Airshow unique compared to the other two big global air shows: Le Bourget in Paris and London's Farnborough.
They are more 'Europe-centric', Mr Lau said.
Industry players pointed out that as the centre of gravity for global aviation shifts to this region, the Singapore Airshow will become more prominent in the coming years.
Over the next two decades, airlines in the Asia-Pacific will take delivery of about 10,000 aircraft, or a third of global deliveries.
Ms Katy Padgett, communications manager of global aircraft engine-maker Pratt and Whitney, said: 'The Singapore Airshow continues to be a great platform for us to reach out to the aviation community in the Asia-Pacific region.'
The event also attracts high-level government officials, including ministers, not just from regional countries but also from the United States and Europe, trade visitors said.
Even as the curtains fell on the trade segment of the show, work has already begun to get Singapore Airshow 2014 off the ground, said Mr Lau.
More than 70 per cent of the available exhibition space has been reserved, he said.
With the wheeling and dealing out of the way, the show will be open to the public today and tomorrow. About 100,000 people are expected over the two days.
A highlight, as always, will be the flying display which will take place between 11am and noon, and again, for half an hour, from 3pm.
But as popular as such segments may be, it is unlikely they can be lengthened.
Said Mr Lau: 'Even if I want to increase it to two or three hours, I don't think Changi Airport will let me. There is already increasingly high traffic in the air.'
source: http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_768062.html
Over four days, almost US$32 billion (S$40 billion) in sales were inked, a new peak for the biennial event. The highlight was the mega US$22.4 billion aircraft order that Indonesian carrier Lion Air signed with Boeing.
The show also attracted an estimated 45,000 trade visitors, about 10,000 more than during the 2010 edition.
For example, a much larger Chinese presence can be expected at the next airshow in 2014.
This will reflect the growing significance of the China market, which is at the centre of Asia's aviation boom, he said. The Chinese pavilion, which occupied 700 sq m this year, will be three times bigger at the 2014 airshow and, for the first time, will also include government representation.
The intention is for the Singapore Airshow to be the international platform for Chinese aviation firms, Mr Lau said.
While there are several aerospace and defence shows held in China, they serve a largely domestic market.
Referring to Chinese aviation firms, he said: 'They still have to go outside of China to compete and get a slice of the international market and to show that they can sell outside of China.'
And a strong Asia-Pacific slant is what makes the Singapore Airshow unique compared to the other two big global air shows: Le Bourget in Paris and London's Farnborough.
They are more 'Europe-centric', Mr Lau said.
Industry players pointed out that as the centre of gravity for global aviation shifts to this region, the Singapore Airshow will become more prominent in the coming years.
Over the next two decades, airlines in the Asia-Pacific will take delivery of about 10,000 aircraft, or a third of global deliveries.
Ms Katy Padgett, communications manager of global aircraft engine-maker Pratt and Whitney, said: 'The Singapore Airshow continues to be a great platform for us to reach out to the aviation community in the Asia-Pacific region.'
The event also attracts high-level government officials, including ministers, not just from regional countries but also from the United States and Europe, trade visitors said.
Even as the curtains fell on the trade segment of the show, work has already begun to get Singapore Airshow 2014 off the ground, said Mr Lau.
More than 70 per cent of the available exhibition space has been reserved, he said.
With the wheeling and dealing out of the way, the show will be open to the public today and tomorrow. About 100,000 people are expected over the two days.
A highlight, as always, will be the flying display which will take place between 11am and noon, and again, for half an hour, from 3pm.
But as popular as such segments may be, it is unlikely they can be lengthened.
Said Mr Lau: 'Even if I want to increase it to two or three hours, I don't think Changi Airport will let me. There is already increasingly high traffic in the air.'
source: http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_768062.html
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