E-Archive

VOL. 3 May ISSUE YEAR 2002

Interview

in Vol. 3 - May Issue - Year 2002
Asian Aerospace 2002

Record trade deals and high numbers of visitors. Over 62,000 visitors attended Asia's premier air show.

Reaffirming its position as one of the world's most important air shows, Asian Aerospace 2002 (AA2002) closed its week long display on the 3rd. of March 2002 with some impressive reports on trade deals done at the show as well as visitorship numbers.
Showcasing some 900 exhibiting companies from 37 countries, AA2002 received some 22,000 trade visitors from 65 countries and 40,000 public visitors over the last six days. The organiser, Asian Aerospace Pte Ltd, also hosted a record 120 official delegations from 38 countries at the show. 
Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Asian Aerospace Pte Ltd, said, "We are very pleased with the strong support that both trade and public visitors have accorded to us for this year's show. The high number of visitors, together with nearly US$3.2 billion in trade deals announced at Asian Aerospace, is a clear reflection of the many business opportunities available in the region despite the recent challenges faced by the aerospace industry."
He added, "Besides building communication bridges for key industry players, Asian Aerospace has continuously proven to be a key platform for top aerospace and defence technology companies to foster international partnerships and collaborative ventures.  Over 70% of the exhibiting companies at AA2002 have already confirmed their bookings for the next Asian Aerospace in 2004."
Visitors at AA2002 were also treated to an impressive line-up of over 55 military and civil aircraft in the flying and static displays.

For the first time at Asian Aerospace, visitors were able to get up close and personal to military aircraft such as the Hawk 100, F-15E Strike Eagle and F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet at the flying and static displays. Lockheed Martin also thrilled aerospace enthusiasts with a full-scale mock-up display of the stealthy, supersonic Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), shown for the first time in Asia.
Many industry players have also chosen AA2002 as their launch pad for a wide range of technology innovations.  These include: Boeing's 747-400X Quiet Longer Range (QLR), Gippsland Aeronautics' utility aircraft GA8 AIRVAN, Ibis Aerospace Limited's turbo prop aircraft Ae270, and Korea Aerospace Industries' KT-1 Trainer.
In addition, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Gintic Institute of Manufacturing Technology (GINTIC) jointly organised the first ever Singapore Innovation Pavilion at AA2002. This pavilion aimed to showcase aerospace Research and Development (R&D) capabilities of Singapore companies, and facilitate strategic tie-ups with global aerospace partners.

Asian Aerospace continued to grow in strength with the introduction of three new initiatives at this show, including the Asia Pacific Security Conference (APSEC), the Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence Conference (C4I Asia 2002) and the AirFreight Expo (AFE 2002).
Co-organised by Asian Aerospace Pte Ltd and the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), APSEC brought together some 320 high level personnel from the political, military, corporate and academic sectors worldwide to network and discuss the subject of security with the aim of improving global peace.
"APSEC was very well received by the participants. For most participants, especially from the uniformed services, it was a useful exposure to the latest trends in international affairs, especially after September 11. The conference also provided stimulating insights into a diverse range of perspectives on critical issues in the strategic agenda. Terrorism was the subject which attracted considerable attention but the conference also discussed issues such as the US role, the emergence of China, India/Pakistan nuclear rivalry and the significance of local conflicts and internal wars," said Barry Desker, Director
of IDSS.
Incorporated into AA2002, AFE 2002 was launched in response to growing demand from the Asia Pacific airfreight industry. The inaugural exhibition and conference aim to address the logistical challenges that come with increased airfreight activity in Asia Pacific and to help gear the region towards building a world-class airfreight infrastructure. AFE 2002 reached out to senior executives from the region's leading airlines, forwarders, integrators, manufacturers, aviation authorities and airport operators.
The aerospace industry and members of the public can look forward to Asian Aerospace 2004 which has been scheduled for 24 - 29 February 2004 at the Changi Exhibition Centre.