Success above all for Singapore Airshow 2020

The week leading up to the Singapore Airshow 2020 saw a number of exhibitors pull out due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But the show went on, and over the course of the week, the seventh edition of the airshow still managed to welcome close to 30,000 trade visitors from more than 110 countries, and more than 20,000 public visitors from 11 to 16 February 2020.

The trade segment was quite the success, as participants witnessed key announcements in new areas of development including JTC’s signings with aerospace companies to bring in $500 million worth of new investments that will expand the aerospace ecosystem and supplier networks.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore also announced an initiative with Airbus to improve regional connectivity in the urban air mobility space, and ST Engineering has signed a five-year contract to provide nacelle maintenance services to Qantas Airways.

Visitors on trade days were also privy to the showcase of new products and innovations, such as the new Dassault Falcon 6X and a demonstration by Airbus on its blended wing body technology that could potentially provide up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption.

The positive turnout, despite the COVID-19 situation, proved that international businesses still hold Singapore in high regard as a leading aerospace hub. “The Singapore Airshow continues to be a strong testament to our vibrant aerospace community… This industry is a bright spot for Singapore, and will continue to create good opportunities for our businesses and Singaporeans,” said Tan Kong Hwee, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board.

The sentiments are shared by more than two-thirds of key exhibitors who have committed to participate in the eighth edition of the Singapore Airshow 2022. Exhibitors to return include Airbus, Boeing, Changi Airport Group, Diehl Defence, Elbit, Embraer, Hensoldt, Israel Aerospace Industries, L3Harris, Lufthansa Technik, Pratt & Whitney, Rafael, and ST Engineering.

The success of the trade days of the airshow was also echoed during its public days on 15 and 16 February, where tickets to the event were fully sold out. The sale of tickets was scaled down by more than half as a precautionary measure to ensure the well-being and safety of all attendees during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Visitors on the two public days had the opportunity to enjoy four display performances from the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s aerial display of an F-15SG fighter jet and two AH-64D attack helicopters, China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi, the United States Marine Corps’ F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, and the United States Pacific Air Forces’ F-22 Raptor. The aerial display is always a highlight of the Singapore Airshow, and the good weather experienced throughout the event permitted a spectacular display that was also broadcast ‘live’ on Facebook for those unable to attend.

“We are glad to close Singapore Airshow 2020 on an optimistic note, and we will continue to stand in solidarity with all our stakeholders in the aviation and defence industries as we weather this challenging period,” said Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events Pte Ltd, organiser of the Singapore Airshow. “I am confident we will emerge even stronger and continue to deliver a more robust Singapore Airshow 2022 that facilitates the transformation and growth of Asia’s aviation and defence industries,” he added.

The eighth edition of the Singapore Airshow will be held from 15 to 20 February 2022.