By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, July 11 — The Selangor Aviation Show (SAS) 2024 promises to be bigger and better than last year's, with new additions including a lifestyle segment and an inaugural award celebrating women icons in the local aviation industry.
State executive councillor for trade, investment, and mobility Ng Sze Han said this year's event, now into its fourth edition, is expected to see a higher number of participants and transaction value.
It reflects the state's significant role in aviation and aerospace, with Selangor contributing 67 per cent of the overall sector’s economy in Malaysia.
This year, Selangor is targeting RM1.3 billion in potential transaction value, compared to RM823 million last year. It also aims to attract 25,000 visitors, a substantial increase from the 19,000 attendees in 2023.
"Year-on-year, the aviation industry shows a rising trend, and we are confident that we will achieve both of these targets due to the higher number of trade participants this year compared to the last,” he told the press after the SAS 2024 soft launch at the State Secretariat Building today.
SAS 2024 will be held from September 12 to September 14 at the Skypark Regional Aviation Centre (RAC) in Bukit Jelutong.
Selangor has also struck various strategic partnerships with local hotels and e-hailing services like MyCar to facilitate transportation and accommodation for attendees.
Hoping to see the aviation industry continue on a continuous upward trend, Ng stressed the importance of celebrating women's roles in the industry and encouraged them to continue participating.
"Currently, women only represent 20 per cent of the industry. As a means to celebrate their contribution, SAS 2024 will introduce the inaugural Women in Aviation Awards in collaboration with Women in Aviation Asia and Women@MAG (Malaysia Aviation Group)," he said, adding that the awards’ launch will be held on September 12.
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State executive councillor for trade, investment, and mobility Ng Sze Han (centre) during the Selangor Aviation Show 2024 soft launch at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, on July 11, 2024. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
The state will also include activities for children during the three-day airshow to spur interest among the young to participate in the aviation industry in the future.
Another new addition to the show is the introduction of a lifestyle segment exhibiting exotic cars from Malaysian manufacturers like Bufori and Proton, including its first electric vehicle, the Smart #1 Brabus.
SAS 2024 will include 110 exhibitors, including 15 companies from seven countries, namely the United States (US), the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Germany, France, and the Czech Republic.
Renowned aviation firms, including Cirrus Aircraft, Textron Aviation, Dassault Aviation, Bombardier, and UMW Aerospace Sdn Bhd, will participate.
There will also be over 50 various static displays from the US, France, Singapore, and Malaysia, featuring a range of aircraft like the Dassault Falcon 8X, Cessna Caravan, and Piaggio Avanti.
This year’s event includes 23 dialogue and forum sessions addressing topics including sustainable aviation, safety, aviation supply chain, sports aviation regulations, the future of the space industry, as well as youth and women empowerment.
Ng said that similar to last year, a career fair will be held on-site involving 40 aerospace and aviation industry players in partnership with the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
When asked if this will be the last year SAS will take place at the Skypark RAC, with the state having previously announced plans to host the event in Sepang beginning next year, he said the administration is currently focusing on this year’s show.
“It is too early to commit as we want to ensure this year’s edition is a success first,” Ng said.
Previously, the councillor had said the state government is looking to move SAS to Sepang by 2025 following the massive success of its 2023 event.
This is to accommodate higher demands for space from trade attendees and participants.
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Remote-control aircraft replicas and various drone models on display for visitors during the Selangor Aviation Show 2022 at the Skypark Regional Aviation Centre in Subang, on September 9, 2022. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
