COMAC C919 mock-up, Mitsubishi MRJ and Sukhoi Superjet exhibits amongst new attractions at the region’s leading commercial aviation event

December 13, 2010 — Asian Aerospace, the region’s leading commercial aviation exposition and congress, looks set to beat all records as it commences the final three month countdown to the event in Hong Kong 8th-10th March 2011. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), manufacturer of the new 150 seat C919 airliner, is set to be the largest exhibitor, with the first appearance of the full cabin mock-up outside mainland China. COMAC will be amongst a host of major Chinese aerospace companies and influential government & trade association delegations that are destined to make Asian Aerospace an unbeatable “East meets West” industry event.

Also in the vanguard of Asian manufacturers exhibiting in Hong Kong will be Mitsubishi of Japan, which will be looking to further boost the international success of the new 90 seat MRJ airliner. Another newcomer to Asian Aerospace will be Sukhoi from Russia, which will be promoting the soon to be certificated Superjet 100. Looking westwards, Airbus is also expected to be joining Boeing, Bombardier, CFM International and Embraer amongst hundreds of international companies that will be back at Asian Aerospace in 2011.

Asian and Chinese airline visitors are expected to significantly exceed the total of 4,600 from 104 carriers achieved at the 2009 event. These carriers operate more than 11,000 aircraft, representing approximately half the world’s fleet. Official support for Asian Aerospace 2011 from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), China Air Transport Association (CATA), China Civil Airports Association (CCAA) and the Civil Aviation MRO Association of China (CAMAC) is contributing to prospective record breaking levels of attendance from China.

“Asian Aerospace 2011 is shaping up to be a very exciting event, with a record number of exhibitors and visitors expected at an event that is attracting industry leaders from East and West,” said Brian Thomas, VP Aerospace, Reed Exhibitions. “The prevailing shift of influence and commercial dynamism towards Asia leaves me in no doubt that Asian Aerospace is destined to become the world’s, not just the region’s, most important commercial aviation industry event over the next 10 years.”

Another highlight of Asian Aerospace 2011 will be the high level Congress, with confirmed keynote speakers including Tony Tyler, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, Norman Lo, Director General of Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, Andrew Herdman, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, and Professor Wei Shyy, Provost & Chair Professor (Mechanical Engineering) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Over 300 business leaders are expected at the Congress, which will be a focal point for exhibitors and delegates to network at the very highest levels. The congress is organised in co-operation with industry’s leading B2B publisher, flightglobal.com.

In addition to the Congress, Asian Aerospace will once again host the Asia Pacific Aviation Training Symposium (APATS), which will held within a dedicated Simulation & Training pavilion. Leading global and regional experts will deliver updates on key regulatory changes, latest technology and proven best practice in the delivery of civil aviation training. Training is a key enabling technology for safe aviation growth in the Asia Pacific region. The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department will be hosting a separate Accident Investigation conference during Asian Aerospace.

Another new feature at Asian Aerospace 2011 will be the inaugural “Aviation Awards Asia” event, organised in co-operation with Asian Aviation magazine. The awards will recognise excellence and outstanding achievements across the region in the following categories: Full Service Airline, Low Cost Carrier, Business Aviation, MRO, Technology & Environment and Airport of the Year.

Asian Aerospace 2011 will once again be held at AsiaWorld-Expo, which not only offers convenient and speedy MTR links from downtown Hong Kong and the city’s international airport, but is also located close to the static display area.