Fuzzy math clouds real “participating company” numbers: Singapore Airshow organiser Experia appears to be trying to beef up the numbers for “participating companies” at the 2022 event by using some fuzzy math. Previous reports by Reuters, Nikkei Asia, Channel News Asia and a number of other media outlets, put the number at 360 companies coming to the Lion City this year, a substantial drop from the 930 companies Experia claims participated in the 2020 show. Those reports all cited the airshow’s own website as the source for the 360 figure. But today (13 February), at a media briefing held just ahead of the show’s opening on 15 February, Experia Managing Director Leck Chet Lam claimed the show will feature “almost 600 participating companies”. He mentioned the figure after being asked to confirm the 360 number by a reporter. A check of the show’s official exhibitor list actually shows there’s 589 companies exhibiting at the 2022 event. But the problem with that list and using the “almost 600” companies number is that even the official list presents a misleading picture. While “almost 600” is technically correct, the 589 companies listed include multiple entries for those companies. For example, Airbus has 12 entries overall, including five entries for Airbus Helicopters. BAE Systems has eight entries, Boeing has 10 entries, ExecuJet has seven entries, L3Harris has 10 entries and Leonardo has 13 entries. A representative for Experia explained the originally reported 360 figure was “an old number” and said the 589 figure – with multiple entries for some companies – is how “we’ve always done it”.
Embraer debuts TechShark: Embraer’s digital predator design, The TechShark, made its debut at the Singapore Airshow, which officially opens on 15 February. The eye-catching effect on Embraer’s E190-E2 was produced for the Singapore Airshow. The E190-E2, part of Embraer’s E2 family of advanced jets, is dubbed the profit hunter because of its high performance and low fuel burn. It delivers the lowest operating costs and highest yields for airlines, more comfort for passengers and space for their bags, smallest noise footprint and less impact on the environment. “Since we last gathered in Singapore in February 2020, our industry has been challenged like never before, and responded with incredible resilience. This event comes at a key moment for our industry as we tackle critical challenges – enabling airlines to reposition themselves for better growth and the environment,” said Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “We forecast that Asia Pacific, including China, requires more than 3,000 aircraft under 150 seats in the next 20 years,” said Raul Villaron, Asia-Pacific vice president for Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Crossover jets like the E-Jets E2 and the first-generation E-Jets play an essential role in enabling airlines to open, develop, and grow their networks profitably. The airlines that incorporate these jets into their strategy are also able to adapt dynamically to fluctuations in market demand and capacity needs, while protecting the bottom line.”
Focus on sustainability and recovery: Singapore Airshow 2022 kicks off with strong optimism for industry recovery and a focus on sustainability. In line with the global agenda on climate change, Singapore Airshow 2022 has partnered with Alton Aviation Consultancy to present the inaugural “Sustainable Aviation Forum” on 16 and 17 February. Experts from public and private sectors will discuss challenges and opportunities within sustainable aviation, including the topic of sustainability of future technology in areas of air mobility and aviation operations. Focus areas include the roles of regulators, innovations in engine technology, sustainable aviation fuel, and maintenance, repair and overhaul. The recovery of the aviation industry is another topic that takes centre-stage at this year’s Airshow. Top executives from Avolon, BOC Aviation, CFM International, Malaysia Airlines and Rex Airlines, will discuss and debate the pace of market recovery, business resilience and sustainable aviation solutions at the “Aviation CEO Forum”. Organised in association with FlightGlobal, this platform presents thought leaders the opportunity to exchange views on the optimism in Asia Pacific’s projected growth and how industry players can link arms to build a better future.
ST Engineering, Sumitomo and Skyports join forces on drones: ST Engineering, Sumitomo Corporation and Skyports announced the formation of a consortium to provide Unmanned Aircraft (UA) services for shore-to-ship parcel delivery in Singapore. Each consortium member will exploit their respective operational and technological capabilities to expand the use of autonomous UA for the deliveries of maritime essentials to vessels at anchorage. During a nine-month pilot programme, the consortium will engage key customers for maritime UA deliveries, with the goal of establishing a UA delivery network capable of carrying parcel payloads up to 7kg. ST Engineering will provide the UA technology using its end-to-end solution – DroNet; Skyports will jointly conduct the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight operations with ST Engineering; while Sumitomo Corporation will provide go-to-market support, including their own fleet of vessels. All three partners in the consortium will undertake business development activities by leveraging their existing maritime network. Teong Soo Soon, vice president and head of UA Systems at ST Engineering, said, “UA Systems have evolved rapidly in recent years to emerge as safe and robust alternatives to traditionally labour- and time-intensive missions. We are excited to be partnering Sumitomo Corporation and SkyPorts in the pilot launch of unmanned services for shore-to-ship parcel delivery after spending close to two years of R&D efforts to develop the solution. We look forward to being a strong enabler for customers which wish to leverage unmanned technology to inject higher efficiency and sustainability into their operations.”
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