Looks like the aviation industry has confident that everything
is going to be better coming next year.
http://www.singaporeairshow.com.sg
With the week-long Paris Air Show ending on Sunday, all eyes
will be on next year's Singapore Airshow.
Not only will it indicate if the struggling aviation industry is
straightening itself out of an economic tailspin, it will also
reflect the growing potential of the sector in the region.
The who's who of the aviation world attended the Paris Air
Show.
While the mood may have been dampened by the economic turbulence
and the recent Air France crash, a record 2,000 exhibitors from 48
countries took part in the event.
There are so many aircraft on display at the Paris Air Show that
it will take more than a day just to see them all. And at next
year's Singapore Airshow, organisers are trying to beef up the
number of static displays as well.
And as a bonus, they are trying to get a special aeroplane which
will simulate the experience of space travel. Meet the Airbus A300
Zero G (zero gravity). If things go as planned, visitors may just
get inside and see what it feels like to be weightless.
And that is not all.
There are also plans to bring in the much-talked about Boeing
787 Dreamliner.
The Dreamliner is one of the most high-tech commercial planes to
be manufactured. It was supposed to have been in service from May
2008, but has been facing production delays. During the Paris Air
Show, Boeing said the test flight for the Dreamliner will take
place at the end of June.
And when it comes to aerial displays, organisers also plan to
bring world-class aerobatics, though details have yet to be
confirmed.
The Singapore Airshow is also doing well on the exhibitor
front.
Before the Paris Air Show, it was 90 per cent booked. Now, it is
95 per cent booked.
Next year's event will also launch the first-ever business
forums during trade days. The business forums will give information
on doing business in Southeast Asia and India, China as well as
Australia.
In July, the organisers will be inviting government officials
from the region for their show next year. This is two months ahead
of their usual timeframe - to ensure an increase in the number of
foreign delegates.
Going forward, there are plans to include a third hall at the
exhibition site in Changi, and perhaps even a 500-seater
auditorium.
The Paris Air Show has also provided Singapore organisers with
some tips.
Jimmy Lau, managing director, Singapore Airshow & Events,
said: "One thing we are studying closely is the management of
international delegations, military delegations into the show, and
how they go about arranging for meetings amongst the exhibitors and
bilateral meetings as well."
Mr Lau expects the cost of running the Singapore Airshow to go
up by 10 per cent, from the S$20 million spent at the last
show.
The main reason for the increase is due to setting up measures
to guard against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
The Singapore Airshow will take place at the Changi Exhibition
Centre from February 2 to February 7 next year. - CNA
Hopefully, coming this time round we are able to catch the F-22
Raptor in action. Can't wait!
