Asian Aerospace show said to rank amongst top three

The continuing shift of global economic power and influence of Asia in general and China in particular has ensured the rise of Asian Aerospace to be amongst the top three aviation industry events in the world.

The dramatic growth of China's air carriers and the government's strategic commitment to developing an aerospace industry with wide ranging capabilities represents an almost unimaginable level of business opportunity for western companies seeking growth, with Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong well placed for serious ‘East meets West' dialogue amongst industry leaders.

With global recession feeling like a distant memory in the region, Asian Aerospace 2011 was the venue chosen by Air China and Hainan Airlines Group to announce deals for new aircraft worth US$10 billion from Boeing on the opening day, with Cathay Pacific also announcing a US$6 billion order for Airbus and Boeing airliners during the week of the show. Dassault and Gulfstream also announced orders for its long-range business jets at the show.

On the manufacturing side, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) was the largest exhibitor at Asian Aerospace 2011 and officially announced the development timeline for the 160 seat C919 airliner. COMAC has orders for 100 C919s from mainland carriers and leasing companies, with entry-into-service of the first aircraft in 2016.

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) was also another major exhibitor at Asian Aerospace 2011 and showcased a number of development programmes in the commercial aircraft/helicopter and propulsion sectors. AVIC announced that it had purchased Cirrus Aircraft of the US immediately before the show opened.

“Whilst Asian Aerospace 2011 proved to be an outstanding success for exhibitors and visitors alike, I'm convinced that the continuing upward trajectory for China's air transport industry will ensure that future shows will be bigger and better in every respect,” said Brian Thomas, vice-president – aerospace, Reed Exhibitions. “China is rising dramatically and so is Asian Aerospace.”

Martin Craigs, president, Aerospace Forum Asia added: “The third edition of Asian Aerospace was far better presented, attended and promoted than in 2007 and 2009. The show has come of age as a hybrid civil aerospace gathering with Asian characteristics and thankfully a million miles from ‘Old Europe' Air Show infrastructure.”

The status of Asian Aerospace as the region's premier commercial air transport event was dramatically demonstrated with the number of VIP delegates up more than 130% over the 2009 show and the number of Chinese delegations up over 50%. Overall attendance at Asian Aerospace over three days reached a record high of 12,300 delegates, with a further 5,300 attending Asian Business Aviation.

Asian Aerospace will return to Hong Kong on 19-21 March, 2013.

www.asianaerospace.com