Following its successful staging in Hong Kong in 2007, Asian Aerospace, the leading aerospace and aviation event in Asia with a 28-year history, will return to Hong Kong with a bigger and better edition in September 2009.
Reed Exhibitions, organizer of Asian Aerospace and the world's biggest exhibition organizer, together with a panel of key industry and aviation sector stakeholders from Hong Kong's government and the aviation industry including, Mr Norman Lo, Director-General of Civil Aviation Hong Kong, Mr Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong and Mr Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific Airways, unveiled the plans for the next edition of the biennial show to be held at Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo from September 7-10, 2009.
The success of the first repositioned edition of Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong last year, which climaxed with the iconic flight of the Airbus A380 over Victoria Harbour, demonstrated the industry demand for a show focused on the business and commercial aviation industries. "The positive response from the global aerospace industry to the relocation of Asian Aerospace to Hong Kong in 2007 under an innovative B2B format was very encouraging. In addition, the full support from the Chinese aerospace industry and the related Hong Kong authorities was a critical element in the event's success," said Mr Mike Rusbridge, Chairman, Reed Exhibitions.
"We welcome the decision of Reed Exhibitions to host the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress in Hong Kong again. The return of this significant show clearly demonstrates Hong Kong's leading position as an international convention and exhibition centre, and reaffirms AsiaWorld-Expo's role as a world-class exhibition facility for international events of this kind," said Mr Frederick Ma, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong.
Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007 attracted over 575 exhibiting companies and over 11,000 trade visitors from 63 countries. More than 521 media from 21 countries visited the four-day event, alongside representatives from more than 150 airlines from around the world.
Mr Paul Beh, President, Reed Exhibitions Asia, remarked, "The overwhelming feedback we received from exhibitors and visitors alike, was that Hong Kong was precisely the right location for a show of this standing and importance. The outstanding facilities provided by AsiaWorld-Expo make Asian Aerospace the most user-friendly event of its kind anywhere in the world, and this has been genuinely appreciated by our customers and stakeholders."
Asian Aerospace dedicated to commercial and civil aerospace industry
Unlike other air shows, Asian Aerospace is a professional event dedicated to the entire commercial and civil aerospace and aviation industry. "By excluding military wares and general public audience, Asian Aerospace's offering is targeted at civil aviation players at every level of the chain supply. This focus creates the perfect environment for business," explained Mr Clive Richardson, Senior Vice President, Aerospace & Aviation Group, Reed Exhibitions.
Exhibiting companies supplying components, aircraft parts, airframe manufacture, engines, aircraft interiors services such as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), avionics, freight equipment and services, software and tools, ground services equipment, airport furniture, airport control tower equipment, passenger terminal baggage systems among others, will be able to meet buyers from the various divisions of airline carriers, airport operators and regulators, with a particular emphasis on Chinese trade professionals.
China now playing central role in aeronautical sector
"We are witnessing tremendous developments in the Chinese aeronautical sector such as the impending merging of AVIC I and II, and the announced launch of a new consortium to design and build a 150-seater aircraft. By 2020, we expect at least two Chinese airlines to be among the world's top 10 in terms of fleet size, capacity, traffic carried and revenue and nearly 100 new airports to be built on the mainland. These developments further demonstrate the central role China is playing within the industry," added Mr Richardson. "Asian Aerospace's new location, at China's doorstep, positions the show strategically to enable exhibiting companies to access this particular market and audience."
To deliver the targeted attendees particularly from China, new elements to the marketing plan include a hosted buyers program (where exhibitors can nominate their desired buyer attendees), promotional road shows across key Asian and Chinese cities, and the formation of the China Club, an exclusive gathering of industry captains with a keen stake in the large China market.
In addition, the high profile AA Congress, organized in conjunction with the Flight Group, and a series of conferences aiming to deliver greater value and benefit to the targeted attendees will begin on Monday, September 7, 2009. The 2009 conferences will focus on innovation and new technologies, with industry-relevant themes such as aircraft financing, MRO, air safety, air operations, airworthiness, network planning, training, e-documentation and other converging areas of concerns between airport operators and regulators.
The exhibition, featuring around 900 leading suppliers, will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 and will run for three days. "We are broadening the spectrum of exhibiting companies to capture the entire supply chain within the commercial aerospace and civil aviation sectors. In addition to new exhibition segments focusing on MRO, airport infrastructure and passenger terminals, there are plans to work with like-minded partners on emerging trends such as airport cities," observed Mr Richardson.
Asian Aerospace reaffirms Hong Kong's regional aviation hub status
Securing Hong Kong once again as the location for Asian Aerospace reflects Hong Kong's outstanding facilities and positioning as a leading civil aviation hub, and places the region firmly on the map of essential aviation events around Asia and the world.
Mr Norman Lo, the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, pointed out that the decision of Reed Exhibitions to choose Hong Kong once again as the host city for Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress has further reinforced the Government's long-standing commitment in shaping Hong Kong as an international and regional aviation centre, as well as a gateway hub to China. "Strategically located in the Asia and Pacific region, Hong Kong has become one of the most well-connected and busiest aviation hubs in the region. In recent years, this region is leading the world with its remarkable growth in aviation development, and the prospect for future growth is promising. Recognizing the invaluable opportunities that the show could bring to the region, my Department had worked closely with various government and industry partners in order to make last year's show impressive. We will make every effort to ensure that the next year's show will be even more impressive and successful, " said Mr Lo.
The Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Stanley Hui, said, "Last year's event was a huge success and marked an important milestone in Hong Kong's aviation history. Staging Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress at HKIA strengthens our position as a premier international aviation hub, and reaffirms Hong Kong's reputation as a centre for conferences and exhibitions. We are delighted to be the host airport again and are committed to ensuring an enjoyable airport experience for all exhibitors and delegates coming to HKIA from every corner of the world."
"The Hong Kong Tourism Board is very delighted to continue our partnership with Reed Exhibitions to promote such a prestigious event," said The Hon James Tien, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. "In the months ahead, we will work closely with our travel trade partners to ensure the success of this important trade platform for buyers and sellers of the region's aviation industry. By promoting the event and creating added value for delegates, we aim to generate further publicity for Hong Kong and its selling points as a MICE destination – in 2009 and the years ahead."
Cathay Pacific Chief Executive, Mr Tony Tyler said, "Cathay Pacific is pleased to be named Official Airline for Asian Aerospace 2009. Last year's event was a big success and helped to boost Hong Kong's reputation as an aviation centre. As Hong Kong's airline, Cathay Pacific has worked hard to help build the city's reputation as a leading international aviation hub. Having events of Asian Aerospace's stature staged here can only help to reinforce the impression that Hong Kong is a place where important things happen."
"The 2007 event was a watershed in the aerospace event calendar, being the first, and largest, dedicated commercial aerospace and civil aviation event to be held", concluded Mr Richardson. "The world's leading aircraft manufacturers and providers of aircraft maintenance were particularly delighted with their first showing in Hong Kong and appreciated the strong support from the plethora of Hong Kong agencies. To this end, we are delighted that Cathay Pacific Airways has agreed to continue to be the official carrier for Asian Aerospace. We know we can build on our initial successes to deliver an even bigger and more critical event for the world's leading suppliers and their civil aviation customers, particularly those based in the Asia-Pacific region."
Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress is co-located with Air Freight Asia, the region's largest air cargo event; Aircraft Interiors Expo Asia, the regional version of the world's largest aircraft interiors event, Aircraft Interiors Expo Hamburg; and the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium, presented by Halldale Media and Events.