AUSTRALASIA – The Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition (Aviation Airshow), which begins on Tuesday 26 February 2013, will stay in Victoria until 2025.
Speaking at the media launch for the Aviation Airshow at Avalon airport in Geelong, Victoria today (22 February), the Minister for Technology and Aviation, Gordon Rich-Phillips, announced the Government’s decision to continue its support for the event for at least another decade.
“The Government has signed a contract for an additional five international airshows at Avalon. We have been in partnership since 1992 and this new contract locks in the government support for both the event and aviation industry,” he said.
The Australian airshow 2013 includes a three-and-a-half day trade show, which will feature 21 associated conferences and seminars and 600 exhibitors from 21 countries, as well as a public air show.
Gregor Ferguson, Executive Manager for Industry Development at Aerospace Australia, told CMW 40,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the tradeshow across the three-and-a-half days. He added that the conference programme at the show was a “major draw card for the industry”.
The conference programme includes seminars on helicopters, flight safety, the nature of crisis management and the impact of the ‘fly in fly out’ market on the aviation industry.
In 2011, the Aviation Airshow welcomed 195,000 visitors across the six days, which included 26,000 interstate visitors and 3,000 international visitors.
“The Avalon airshow is one of the Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious aviation, aerospace and defence events, and is a prime example of how to showcase the latest in innovation, technology and flying displays to both the trade and public audiences,” said Airshow CEO, Ian Honnery.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Keith Fagg, added: “This international airshow is the jewel in the crown in terms of events in Geelong and provides a significant economic benefit. The previous airshow in 2011 generated AU$120m (US$124m) to Victoria, of which $20m went directly into the Geelong regional economy.”
Guests at the media launch were treated to a flying display programme, which included the Breitling Wingwalkers, the world’s only aerobatic formation display team to feature professional wingwalkers, Otto the helicopter and the Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster.
The Aviation Airshow is part of Melbourne’s Business Events Week, which begins on 25 February.
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