The specialised Middle East Aerospace Pavilion, an industry initiative run by Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), the name behind the Dubai air show, will make its Far East debut at the Asian Aerospace exhibition being held at Singapore’s Changi Exhibition Centre from February 21-26.
The pavilion has doubled in size since its launch at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK 18 months ago and is 40% bigger than its showing at the Le Bourget aerospace exhibition in Paris last June.
“The steady growth in the pavilion is a reflection of the development of the Middle East’s indigenous aerospace industry and a gradual shift in its mind-set to seek out international opportunities rather than limiting itself to its own back yard,” explained Alison Weller, F&E’s Director Aerospace.
“The growth is also testament to the substantial success exhibitors achieved at the Farnborough and Le Bourget showings.”
New to the Middle East pavilion for Asian Aerospace are Dubai’s VIP air charter services company JetEx Flight Support, flight planning services provider Hadid International and engine overhaul provider Jordan Airmotive Limited Company (JALCO).
JetEx Flight Support, which owns and operates six executive aircraft, is also a pioneer aviation service provider offering solutions for the operational needs.
“Our presence in Singapore will give us increased visibility throughout Asia and gives us an opportunity to meet existing clients and further our business development efforts,” said Mike Wadaa, Sales Manager, JetEx Flight Support.
For Hadid International, the Asian Aerospace outing gives it the opportunity to celebrate its 25th anniversary on an international stage.
“The pavilion is a great opportunity for us as we are now looking to promote Hadid International in the Far East, which is an emerging aviation market with increasing air traffic and is potentially, a very strong market for us,” said Dr. Ahmad Zuhaili, Regional Manager, Hadid International.
And for JALCO Singapore is its second most important marketing destination after Dubai and the company believes its presence could, in the future, lead other Jordanian companies to follow with a country participation creating a possible ‘pavilion-within-a-pavilion.’
“This is a start and it could be a trigger to other Jordanian companies joining us in future Middle East pavilions – much as happened with the Dubai air show,” said JALCO’s Isam M. Farhan.
“For us in particular, we see Singapore as a way of reaching potential customers in Malaysia and Indonesia where there are engines that we could service. The pavilion is the only means we have of participating in Asian Aerospace as it would be just too expensive to try and go it alone.”
The Middle East pavilion is a non-profit initiative by F&E to give an international profile to the region’s rapidly expanding aerospace sector.
“Middle East companies were previously conspicuous by their absence at the major international aerospace exhibitions but they are now gaining greater media, trade and business exposure through the pavilion. The pavilion is part of F&E’s strategy of supporting and partnering the industries it serves and its development has given us a huge sense of achievement.”
And pavilion gains have been spelt out by the Small Engines Overhaul Division (SEOD) of Abu Dhabi-headquartered Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company, which has participated in the past two pavilion showings.
“Our experience is that the pavilion is concise and well-organised and its is a cost-effective means of us being present at major international events as the expense is otherwise prohibitive,” said Mike Sweeting, Sales & Marketing Manager, SEOD.
As F&E takes on all the organisational requirements of the pavilion, exhibitors are freed from pre-show hassles.
“Participants literally arrive on the day, unpack their display and marketing collateral and start selling,” explained Weller.
