>>> Asian Aerospace 2008 in Hong Kong?
by Derek Yeo


SPECULATION strongly suggests Hong Kong (HK) will be the next host city of the Asian Aerospace (AA) show, after its 13th and last show – from February 21 to 26 – in Singapore.

Aviation circles’ grapevine has it that it is a done deal, although the Hong Kong firm managing the venue and AA organisers are tight-lipped, when asked to comment.

AsiaWorld-Expo’s US$300 million site in HK – at 70,000 sq m – is about three times larger than AA’s present location at Singapore's Changi Exhibition Centre and a new airshow site under construction in Changi North. AsiaWorld-Expo, opened in Dec 2005, is a hop away from HK's Chep Lap Kok International Airport.

Since 1981, Asian Aerospace has staged its biennial show in Singapore. However last October, Reed Exhibitions – AA’s owner – decided to change the show’s location. The decision arose from its unresolved dispute with Singapore’s authorities on issues relating to AA’s new venue.

Aviation sources said the move to HK has its advantages. Asian Aerospace’s proximity to China means that show participants would have greater access to the vibrant Chinese aerospace market. China’s aerospace suppliers and manufacturers showcasing their products to the world literally at their doorsteps, would welcome the Hong Kong site.

In fact, Airbus - the giant European airplane maker - has estimated in a report that the Chinese air freight and passenger payloads will up by about 9 per cent yearly over the next decade.

Reed has already announced that it would spare no effort to woo Chinese aviation companies to become anchor exhibitors of the show in HK. It is working with China’s Chamber of Commerce (Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic products) to achieve this.

Without any confirmation, the search goes on for a new Asian Aerospace venue.