ASIAN AEROSPACE 2006 DEPARTS SINGAPORE ON A HIGH

After 25 years, this year's Asian Aerospace, the 13th in its current series, was the last to be held in Singapore. As we await the arrival of a new airshow in 2008, cyberpioneer looks back at this year's exhibition.

The world can expect a new airshow in two years' time the 'Singapore Airshow' arrives in 2008.

Deputy Prime Minister, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Law Professor S Jayakumar announced this at the opening of Asian Aerospace 06 on 20 Feb.

The new airshow will be held every two years around the end of February at a new dedicated site in Changi.

Explaining the choice of name, Professor Jayakumar said that the event s organisers had heeded the advice of industry partners and decided to leverage on the 'Singapore' brand name.

"Feedback from industry participants indicate that the success of airshows here are due in no small part to the so-called 'Singapore brand' our infrastructure, our aviation industry, and equally important, the strong partnerships that exists between industry and government," he said.

With increasing deregulation and affordability, Professor Jayakumar said demand in the aviation sector was expected to soar.

After the SARS pandemic and uncertain global outlook in 2003 and 2004 respectively, confidence in the global aviation industry has been largely restored and its outlook is positive.

"I am confident of the tremendous prospects presented by the aerospace industry both globally and in Singapore. With its strategic location in Asia, Singapore is an ideal host city for a world-class airshow," said Professor Jayakumar.

Asian Aerospace 06 is the last edition of the current show series. Over 930 exhibitors from over 40 countries took part. About 75,000 visitors, both trade and public, attended the six-day airshow.

Defence experts and security analysts also attended the seven conferences that were held in conjunction with the airshow.