By Vijay Grover
Singapore Airshow 2024 which officially commenced on Monday with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaled the return of the aviation industry to the Eastern hub of Aviation Singapore. The ceremony which was officiated by Minister for Transport and Second Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Chee Hong Tat, and his cabinet colleague Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Heng Chee How saw jubilation accolades from the participating companies.
The biennial event at the Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore Airshow 2024 will see over 1,030 companies from more than 5 2 countries coming together at Asia’s most influential international aerospace and defence event this week.
Over the years, the Singapore Airshow has become a platform for companies to display their latest technology and discuss pressing challenges in front of the aviation and logistics industry. This year however the focus is on Global concern on sustainability and reduction of the carbon footprint.
Key exhibitors include aircraft makers Airbus and Boeing, engine makers Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney and other aviation-related businesses.
Earlier this week at the show’s opening ceremony held at Marina Bay Sands, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Mr Heng Swee Keat emphasized the show’s role in delivering Singapore’s commitments to grow the aviation and aerospace sectors as a global air hub. Singapore is one of the biggest aviation hubs in the world and the industry plays a key role in giving a boost to the tourism sector with an amazing connectivity that the country offers to every part of the globe.
This edition will lay special emphasis on digitalization and sustainability. Experts feel that this year’s Singapore show could become a vital platform for defining the sector’s trajectory and highlighting that investments today need to go towards deep innovation, capabilities, people and infrastructure.
Brahmos, the famed Indian Missile based Weapon system saw interest from several countries, which are looking at understanding and exploring the state of art technology. The Indian presence was also seen in the Singapore skies when the Indian Aerobatic team comprising men and women of the Indian Airforce performed a breathtaking aerobatic display.
While Boeing has no major presence in the static display, the limelight of the aviation sector will see Airbus’ A350-1000 make a comeback this edition, showing the widebody passenger aircraft in action. From the latest generation A350 family.
The company is highlighting that the aircraft can fly further (18,000 kilometers non-stop) at a lower cost. What is more important is that by keeping sustainability at the forefront and powered with a significant blend of 35% SAF, a first for any aircraft flying at the Singapore Airshow, the A350 reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by over 25%.
Today, the A350 services the world’s longest commercial route between Singapore and New York by Singapore Airlines and has been selected by Qantas for an even longer record-breaking service between Sydney and London, which will be launched in the coming years. Day 1 of the Singapore Airshow saw surging crowds at the Changi Exhibition Centre with thousands of delegates attending the events on the sidelines of the airshow.
