Singapore Airshow 2018 connects global aviation stakeholders

The Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world, is connecting global aviation stakeholders to key opportunities that drive change and shape the future.

As a key gateway to Asia’s thriving aviation and aerospace industry, the Singapore Airshow offers a wide range of such key opportunities, including potential business opportunities presented by 1,062 companies from 50 countries and regions participating in the exhibition.

Opportunities in a thriving global marketplace

This global marketplace will feature 65 of the top 100 global aerospace companies including Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, ST Engineering, Thales and UTC Aerospace Systems.

A growing number of aviation firms will be taking part at the Airshow for the first time, having recognised the potential of doing business in this vast marketplace. These include: AviationLearn, Honda Aircraft Company, LOGIC, Marposs, IHSE Asia, Turkish Aerospace Industries, WEARE Group, Wright Brothers Science, Technologies Development Co. Ltd, United Engine Corporation, Collective Wisdom Technology, Star UAV Co and Chengdu Holy Aviation.

Participating companies and organisations are taking the opportunity to showcase their most innovative products spanning key technology trends at Singapore Airshow 2018. These include the new, innovative and reliable ELTA Emergency Locator Transmitter, and the first-of-its-kind Orion-D Man Pack drone detection system from TRD Consultancy, which will be making its global debut.

Additionally, ST Engineering will be showcasing smart technologies and their applications in new and enhanced solutions across three clusters – Aviation, Defence and Smart City, while CAAS and Air Traffic Management Research Institute will be showcasing their UAV air traffic management system. ISS Reshetnev will be showcasing the latest in Russian satellite technologies, while Airbus will demonstrate its “Project Skyways” autonomous parcel delivery drone prototype for the first time at the Singapore Airshow.

“The global aviation industry is at an inflection point. Rapid digitalisation and the unparalleled growth of innovative technology have converged to open up new opportunities that are transforming the fundamentals of the industry,” said Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events. “By focusing on both vital aviation-centric technologies like avionics and connected aircraft, predictive maintenance and additive manufacturing, as well as innovations in the areas of cybersecurity and autonomous technology, the Singapore Airshow will empower stakeholders to effectively harness the vast potential of technology innovation to shape the industry’s future.”

Opportunities to engage an expanding global audience

Aviation stakeholders would be able to tap even more opportunities arising from the Singapore Airshow’s expanding global audience. In addition to the presence of major aviation markets like France, Germany, Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States, there is also increased participation from other regions and countries.

• Russia: Leading manufacturers of fighter jets, commercial aircraft and helicopters like United Aircraft Corporation, Russian Helicopters and communications satellite company – Eurasia Partnership of Aerospace Cluster (EPAC).
• China: Manufacturers of commercial and military jets, and specialists in aviation training from China.
• Japan: Local government agencies from the Japanese prefectures of Tokyo, Hiroshima (new), Saitama (new) and Mie (new).

“The aerospace investments into Singapore since the last Singapore Airshow underscores the continued confidence in Singapore as a trusted partner, and the growth opportunities in Asia Pacific. On the innovation front, we will leverage our diverse range of capabilities from digital to mechanical, to co-develop cutting-edge technologies and solutions with companies,” said Tan Kong Hwee, Executive Director, Transport Engineering, Singapore Economic Development Board. “We expect innovation in key areas like digitalisation and advanced manufacturing, to fuel future growth for Singapore.”

Opportunities to drive change through strategic platforms

Besides business opportunities, global stakeholders will be able to leverage strategic platforms like the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit (SAALS 2018) to drive change.

Top-level government and industry decision-makers including government representatives, civil aviation authorities and senior executives of airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers and air navigation service providers will gather at the Summit this year to focus on “Reimagining Aviation’s Future”. SAALS 2018 will offer opportunities to address both the challenges and opportunities arising from the continued demand for air travel, and provide a platform for aviation stakeholders to chart a sustainable approach to supporting future growth in air travel demand.

Among these luminaries are: Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Singapore; Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council; Mr Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO, IATA; Mr Maksim Sokolov, Minister for Transport, Russian Federation; H.E. Eng Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain; Mr Carl Burleson, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, USA; Mr Alan Joyce, CEO, Qantas Group; Mr Surendra Cudah Ratwatte, CEO, SriLankan Airlines; and Mr Duong Tri Thanh, CEO, Vietnam Airlines.

Additionally, the two co-located events at the Airshow incorporate a strong emphasis on technology innovation. The Singapore Aerospace Technology and Engineering Conference (SATEC) 2018 will focus on “Shaping Aerospace Through Innovation”; while the A*STAR Aerospace Technology and Leadership Forum (ATLF) will explore “The Impact of Technology and Innovation on the Aerospace Industry”.

Opportunities to drive change by leveraging industry expertise

Singapore Airshow visitors will have the opportunity to learn from the experts and understand how to leverage key technology trends including cybersecurity and autonomous technology to drive change at two new business forums.

Co-organised by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the Aviation Cyber Security Forum features prominent speakers from both academia and industries who will share their experience and insights on the emerging risks and how we can test the resilience as well as prevent cyber-attacks on the aviation ecosystem.

Co-organised with leading global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman, The Revolution of Autonomy: The Race Is On Business Forum will focus on how autonomy will disrupt traditional value chains, generate new business models and put industry leaders at risk, as specialized start-ups and digital giants will grab increasing market shares in this fast-evolving space.

Additionally, the Asia Business Forum will examine the opportunities and challenges for MRO providers in Asia Pacific, while theEmerging Technologies and Innovation Business Forum will focus on Industry 4.0 with digitalisation driving greater efficiency in the areas of robotics, industrial internet of things and artificial intelligence.

Opportunities to shape the future by inspiring young aviation leaders

Singapore Airshow 2018 features two key platforms that will help shape the industry’s future by nurturing budding talent and start-ups. Returning after a successful launch in 2016, the Singapore Airshow Aero Campus offers secondary school and tertiary students, as well as full-time national servicemen a first-hand glimpse of the latest innovations and technologies. They will also gain valuable insights about the aviation and aerospace industry from leading companies and institutes of higher learning through the Campus, which is held in conjunction with the Airshow’s Education Day.

A new initiative making its debut at this year’s Airshow, the inaugural What’s Next @ Singapore Airshow will offer nearly 70 start-ups from 9 countries opportunities to showcase their latest innovations, network with our corporate partners, and pitch their business ideas and offerings to potential investors, accelerators and corporate partners.

Latest Aviation Marvels on Display

Among the most anticipated element of the Singapore Airshow are an extensive line-up of the latest aircraft from around the world headlined by the world’s leading fifth generation multi role fighter – the F-35B Lightning II. This F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant is the world’s first supersonic STOVL stealth aircraft, and will be showcased at an Airshow in Asia for the first time. The F-35B will be on static display on all days at Singapore Airshow 2018 from 6 February (Tuesday) to 11 February (Sunday) 2018. Other military aircraft making their appearance at an Airshow for the first time in Asia, are the Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning aircraft, the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen jet and the United States Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

There is also a range of business and commercial aircraft which are appearing for the first time at an Airshow in Asia. Among them are the Gulfstream G500 and G600 aircraft, Textron Aviation Cessna Citation Longitude, and Embraer’s fourth prototype of a next-generation narrow-body jet – the E-190 E2 prototype. Nicknamed the “profit hunter”, the prototype will feature a tiger’s face painted on its nose in a nod to Embraer’s respect for Asia. Additionally, the HondaJet, the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet in its class, and the newly certified Airbus A350-1000 long-range passenger jet, will be making their debut at the Singapore Airshow.

In addition to the static display, flying teams and aircraft from various regions will also put on spectacular aerial performances comprising complex maneuvers and dizzying routines. These include the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles Aerobatic Team, Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) Jupiter Aerobatic Team, Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), and United States Air Force (USAF).

 

Source: Asian Military Review