Singapore Airshow 2018 showcased Airbus A350 XWB latest edition, A350-1000, Embraer E-190 E2 prototype "profit hunter" with a tiger's face painted on its nose, Gulfstream G500 and G600 executive jets, Textron Aviation Cessna Citation Longitude and HondaJet - commercial and business aircrafts displayed for the first time at Asia’s largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world, from 6th to 11th February 2018 at Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore.
Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence and Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport officiated the Singapore Airshow 2018, strengthening long-term partnerships and strategic collaborations across aviation and aerospace industry, featuring latest technology innovation trends like unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous technology, smart technologies and cybersecurity to more than 55,000 trade visitors and close to 80,000 public visitors.
Singapore Airlines will be the first to use the all new Airbus A350 Ultra Long Range for the re-launch of the world’s longest commercial services flight from Singapore to New York in 2018.
Singapore Airlines currently flies 20 A350-900s, with 47 more on order to be delivered in the coming years. Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines are currently flying the A350-900 and A380 for long haul and A330 / A321/ A320 for short haul markets.
Qatar Airways is Airbus A350-1000 global launch customer - the first in the world to fly the new Airbus A350-1000 wide body long range fitted with the award-winning Qsuite Business Class for Doha-London route in late February 2018, followed by Cathay Pacific, the first in Asia Pacific.
The Airbus XWB A350-1000 - MSN065 displayed at Singapore Airshow 2018 is one of the three Airbus A350-1000 test aircraft equipped with a fully functional cabin accommodating 366 passengers in a three-class configuration of 40 business class, 36 economy plus class and 219 comfort economy class seats with 18 inch wide pitch in the twin-aisle aircraft, offering the latest spacious and remarkably quiet cabin design, comfort, technology and entertainment for the ultimate passenger experience in non-stop services to Europe and the US.
The US pavilion consist of more than 100 companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Bell helicopter, Gulfstream, Textron Aviation, making it the largest US presence ever at the Singapore Airshow, with more than 60 companies comprising of contractors, integrators, equipment manufacturers, small to medium enterprises and maintenance specialists were new to the Airshow.
At Singapore Airshow 2018, Boeing announced services orders valued at more than $900 million across Global Services’ four capability areas, including parts; engineering, modifications and maintenance; digital aviation and analytics; and training and professional services with All Nippon Airways, China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency, Alaska Airlines Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Lufthansa Group and Tunisair .
The US pavilion consist of more than 100 companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Bell helicopter, Gulfstream, Textron Aviation, making it the largest US presence ever at the Singapore Airshow, with more than 60 companies comprising of contractors, integrators, equipment manufacturers, small to medium enterprises and maintenance specialists were new to the Airshow.
Embraer E-190 E2 "profit hunter" flight test aircraft with tiger face decal painted on its nose is a nod to Embraer's respect for Asia. Embraer commercial single aisle aircraft with up to 146 seats configuration includes clients like Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa city line, Air Costa and airlines in China looking to expand operations in tier two and three cities.
Embraer with its multi label commercial and executive jet brands like EMB, ERJ, Legacy, Lineage, LR, Phnom is the third largest producer of aircraft, after Airbus and Boeing.
The Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 flight-test aircraft with exquisite interiors, unparalleled comfort and superior craftsmanship made its first appearance at Singapore Airshow 2018 static display, alongside with the flagship Gulfstream G650ER, the high-performing Gulfstream G550 and the class-leading Gulfstream G280.
Textron Aviation Cessna Citation Longitude business jet which also débuted in Asia Pacific for the first time, attracted trade visitors with its combination of cabin comfort, low operating costs, maintenance intervals, speed and range, enabling travel nonstop within the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore to Beijing or from Hong Kong to Mumbai with four passengers.
Piper Aircraft Inc. flagship Piper M600 was showcased at Seletar Airport in collaboration with Piper Dealer, Wings Over Asia and will embark on a three month demo tour covering five countries including Australia.
The HondaJet 422 KTAS is the fastest in its class, equipped with the quietest and most fuel-efficient capacity also made its debut at the Singapore AirShow 2018 static aircraft display. HondaJet announced an order for 16 jets with Wijet.
PhilJets Group, the largest Airbus Helicopter operator in the Philippines, celebrated its 5 years Anniversary with the 10th Helicopter order at Singapore Airshow for chartering, heli-tours and VIP transport services to Palawan, Baguio and Isabela. PhilJets will then count a fleet of 11 helicopters and 3 business jets under its operations of more than USD 90 Million in value, with the aim to add 3 more aircrafts within the year.
PhilJets Group, the largest Airbus Helicopter operator in the Philippines, celebrated its 5 years Anniversary with the 10th Helicopter order at Singapore Airshow for chartering, heli-tours and VIP transport services to Palawan, Baguio and Isabela. PhilJets will then count a fleet of 11 helicopters and 3 business jets under its operations of more than USD 90 Million in value, with the aim to add 3 more aircrafts within the year.
Global aerospace companies will be investing more than S$300 million in Singapore over the next five years with expansion plans in Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park by JTC, the region’s leading hub for aerospace and aviation companies like Airbus, Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Safran, Textron, GE Aviation, PPG, Hawker Pacific Asia, SIA Engineering Company, ST Aerospace, Wah Son and JEP Precision Engineering.
Singapore Airshow 2018 aerial displays opening takes flights from Republic of Singapore Air Force featuring a specially painted sky blue livery F-15SG to commemorate RSAF’s 50th anniversary and two F-16Cs fighter jets, performed 15 exciting manoeuvres, showcasing the high degree of precision and coordination required between the three aircraft.
RSAF spectacular performances included the grand finale Golden Salute, as well as 3-Ship Dedication Pass and six new integrated manoeuvres that was performed for the first time ever in public.
USAF U.S. Air Force, TNI-AU Indonesia Air Force Jupiter, RMAF Royal Malaysian Air Force and RTAF Royal Thai Air Force performed exhilarating aerobatic manoeuvres, spectacular aerial flying display performances with the latest commercial and military aircraft for Singapore AirShow Symphony 2018 in the Sky segment.
The U.S. Air Force (USAF)’s F-16 Fighting Falcon from 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan wowed crowds with its supersonic speed while the majestic USAF B-52 Stratofortress of 2nd bomb wing, BarsdalevAir Force base flypast Singapore Air Show on its way back to Andersen Air Force base in Guam.
The U.S. Air Force (USAF)’s F-16 Fighting Falcon from 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan wowed crowds with its supersonic speed while the majestic USAF B-52 Stratofortress of 2nd bomb wing, BarsdalevAir Force base flypast Singapore Air Show on its way back to Andersen Air Force base in Guam.
At the Singapore Air show 2018, Indonesia Air Force (TNI-AU) Jupiter Aerobatic Team 6 KT-1B showcased a series of choreographed manoeuvres, jaw-dropping stunts and synchronized adrenaline-fuelled flying displays with precision and coordination between 6 aircraft to the delight of the mesmerized spectators.
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) flew the Russian made military aircraft Sukhoi SU-30 MKM with thrust vectoring capability and performed the famous ‘Cobra’ maneuver.
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) flew the powerful yet low maintenance JAS-39 C/D Gripen jet military aircraft during the Singapore Airshow aerial displays.
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles Aerobatic Team T-50 only performed at Singapore AirShow 2018 media conference.
Singapore Air Show visitors got up-close and personal with the first in Asia display range of commercial and military aircraft at the Static Aircraft Display Area including RSAF F-15SG sky blue livery painted to commemorate the RSAF's 50th anniversary, F-35B Lightning II, the world’s first supersonic short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth aircraft, Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning aircraft, the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen jet and the United States Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
At the Meet-the-Pilots sessions, visitors had the opportunity to interact and received auographs from RSAF, RTAF, TNI-AU and RMAF pilots. The Singapore Airshow mascots, Captain Leo and Captain Leonette, made their appearances at the Singapore Airshow, taking photos together with the visitors.
Singapore Airshow 2020 will be held from 11 to 16 February at Changi Exhibition Centre, featuring an exciting line up of aerial performance and static aircraft displays, latest aerospace technology and aviation innovation.
*Photos by BeauteRunway photography team using Canon 1DX and Nikon D5.
