By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Sept 14 — The Selangor Aviation Show (SAS) 2024 has been hailed as a tremendous success for exceeding its target of RM1.3 billion in transactions and attracting over 25,000 public participants.
Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris said with increased trade attendees, participants, and static displays compared to past iterations, SAS has established itself as one of the most accessible and premier airshows in the region.
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Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris speaks to the media after the Selangor Soft Landing Programme at the SUK Administrative Centre in Shah Alam on March 5, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"In previous years, our marketing was not as aggressive. However, people are now familiar with the event, and despite the Covid-19 pandemic, they know what to expect.
"While the content is similar to last year, we have expanded our offerings to the public. For instance, we introduced a planetarium for young visitors.
“With the annual show's growing momentum, people seem to be eagerly anticipating it,” he said when met on site today.
The three-day event, which began on Thursday (September 12), concluded this evening.
Previously, state executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han said SAS 2024 had received an overwhelming response, with over 30,000 pre-registered visitors and achieving its RM1.3 billion target of potential transaction value through the signing of 12 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on the first day alone.
He expressed optimism that these figures would further increase by the end of the show, with more than 30 MOUs expected to be signed over the course of the aviation show.
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Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah (third from right) looks at an engine model during the launch of the Selangor Aviation Show 2024, at the Skypark Regional Aviation Centre in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, on September 12, 2024. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
Last year's SAS boasted a total transaction value of RM823 million. This year, the state set an ambitious target of RM1.3 billion, representing a 50 per cent increase.
Organiser Invest Selangor targeted at least 25,000 attendees from 45 countries throughout the event.
The fourth installment of the airshow this year featured 128 booths, representing 88 companies from seven countries, namely Singapore, China, the United Kingdom, France, India, Australia, and Cambodia.
High-profile participants included Textron Aviation, Dassault Aviation, Signum Aviation, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Despite this edition’s achievements, Hasan acknowledged a regional competitor, the Bali International Airshow, which similarly showcases commercial and defence aviation.
To be held from September 18 to September 21, it is Indonesia’s first international aerospace event in 28 years.
"We have a new competitor in the Bali International Air Show. We understand they are also focusing on business aviation,” he said.
But unlike SAS, which is managed in-house by Invest Selangor, in cooperation with the state, Hasan said the Bali airshow appears to be handled by an external event organiser and with a much larger budget.
"We will take a cautious approach, looking into infrastructure improvements for future events and working with organisers to enhance the setup. It is all about refining the process,” he added.
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Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah tries out a 9M-GTR aircraft during the launch of the Selangor Aviation Show 2024, at the Skypark Regional Aviation Centre in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, on September 12, 2024. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
