It is goodbye to Asian Aerospace 2008 and hello to the new
Changi International Airshow.
This comes after organisers of Asian Aerospace and the Economic
Development Board failed to agree on development plans for a new
site, and to have the airshow as a long-term feature in
Singapore.
Asian Aerospace will be flying high no more after 2006.
Next year's show in February will be its last at the current
location before the site is redeveloped for airport
expansion.
Come 2008, Asian Aerospace will be replaced by the Changi
International Airshow.
To be organised by Changi International Airshow and Events Pte Ltd,
the show will be held every two years at a new 24-hectare site in
Changi North.
Plans for the site include a purpose-built air-conditioned
exhibition hall and adjoining apron space for aircraft static
displays, all part of the bid to play host to a world-class
airshow.
A joint venture between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
and the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the new company will
be headed by aviation veteran Lim Chin Beng.
The Economic Development Board has welcomed the move and is giving
full support to the initiative.
S$6 billion worth of aviation contracts were signed at Asian
Aerospace last year, which attracted some 23,000 visitors.
Any change to Asian Aerospace could have an impact on the Singapore
economy, which has always brought multi-million-dollar spin-offs
for the hotel, retail, airline and travel industries.
But industry watchers say they do not expect any changes as the
Changi International Airshow will take its place.
Organisers of Asian Aerospace, Reed Exhibitions, said it was not
the end of the road for the airshow.
They are in negotiations with several locations and once these are
concluded, the future venue will be announced.
It said the current location in Singapore did not meet its
customers' changing needs and they failed to reach a mutually
acceptable solution with the Singapore Government. - CNA /ch