SHOW REPORT
SINGAPORE AIRSHOW ’08
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By Phil Nasskau, Singapore
The new purpose built venue next to Changi Airport is good, secure and an excellent stage for aircraft display. Unfortunately, not that many were on display, but those that were, made for an impressive backdrop to the activities.
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epending on the individual’s point of view, it was for the first or the 11th time that the Singapore Airshow opened its doors this year. Held in February every two years, the event has historically been the cornerstone event for the Asian aerospace industry since the 1980s. Two years ago, however, amid rumours of a dispute the key partners split—Reed Exhibitions took its Asian Aerospace brand to Hong Kong (see SP’s Aviation 5/2007) and the Singapore government launched the Singapore Airshow at a new purpose built site next to Changi Airport. The venue encompassed a 40,000 sq m air-conditioned exhibition hall and a 100,000 sq m area for static display of aircraft, besides 100 Chalets. For the bemused industry, already straining under the weight of too many shows, it became somewhat of a choice. Do they stick with the traditional location, or the traditional organisers? Hong Kong promised access to China (and indeed delivered with a splendid congress and exhibition) but Singapore provided several elements that Asian Aerospace could not: defence equipment and a flying display. Putting to rest apprehensions, both shows went on to succeed, albeit on a scale smaller than the previous major event. Only time will tell whether the two events, albeit with very distinct characteristics, will survive in the long run. In a half-hearted attempt, Singapore show organiser Jimmy Lau laid claims to the number three position in the world but amended that to the largest show “this year, so far”. On paper, it is firmly behind Paris, Farnborough and Dubai in terms of exhibitors and trade visitors. Undeniably, the Singapore Airshow generated phenomenal interest, underscoring the fact that Asia is the fastest growing aviation market and Singapore has grown as the aviation maintenance hub in this region. Participation by over 800 companies from 42 countries and high level government, military and industry delegations from 30 countries underlined the popularity of this event. The new venue is good, secure and an excellent 24
SP’S AVIATION
Issue 2 • 2008
stage for aircraft display. Unfortunately, not that many were on display, but those that were, made for an impressive backdrop to the activities. Further, a slew of announcements and updates criss-crossed all the aerospace sectors. Inaugurating the show at a simple and elegant ceremony, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong observed that China and India would lead the demand for air travel in the region and a 10 per cent growth would be maintained in aviation services by Singapore in 2007. BUSINESS AVIATION
Business Aviation was not taking a side-step at the Singapore show—indeed the static park was positively filled with business aircraft, proof that the sector was booming in the region. The show also broke the record for the single largest business jet order in the region: start-up fractional operator BJETS ordered 50 new business jets in an effort to become Asia’s first dedicated fractional, block charter and aircraft management company. The order, valued around $600 million (Rs 2,427 crore), covers 20 Cessna Citation CJ2+ jets and 20 Hawker Beechcraft 850XP and 900XPs with options for a further 10. Headquartered in Singapore, the company is set to take delivery of its first aircraft sometime in March, with operations starting in the second quarter of this year. A total of 15 aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. Founder and Managing Director Bala Ramamoorthy said BJETS will “provide a new benchmark for private aviation services. There is an acute shortage of these services in Asia and as wealth continues to grow in the region, we believe that the demand will continue to increase dramatically”. “BJETS will have the biggest fleet of private jets in Asia in its very first year of operations,” added Chief Executive Mark