Asian Aerospace ( AA ) is an international trade fair for the aerospace business. Currently based in Hong Kong , it was held in Singapore since 1981 until disagreements between co-organisers Reed Exhibitions and Singapore Technologies in 2006 forced its relocation from 2007.
31-478: Asian Aerospace was held at the old Paya Lebar Airport in Singapore when it was first hosted in 1981. Organised by ITF, a British organiser, it grew to become the third largest airshow in the world, and was touted by its organisers as the "world's second most influential airshow". ITF was subsequently acquired by Reed Exhibitions in 1982. Held once every two years, it boasted 759 exhibiting companies from 37 countries,
62-460: A DC-4 plane leased from Qantas , flying to Hong Kong. Turboprops were introduced over the next few years, and the name was changed to Malaysian Airways. In 1962, a joint RAF/Singapore civil Air Traffic Control service was formed to provide Military cover for Air Defence. During that time Britannia aircraft of British Eagle provided transport for the British military. Comet 4C's were common traffic and
93-512: A cross-shaped layout and in approximately north–south and east–west directions (similar to what was done at Kallang Airport by Japanese occupation forces) to allow planes to land and takeoff in any possible direction all around. This Japanese-built airfield facility became a Royal Air Force station after the Japanese occupation in Singapore abruptly ended following the Japanese surrender in 1945 and
124-407: A distance from Paya Lebar Air Base. After the summit, Trump and Air Force One left Singapore via PLAB at 6:30 pm Singapore Time. The airbase is expected to be decommissioned from 2030. Throughout the 2020s, expansion works are currently ongoing at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base to prepare for the eventual relocation of RSAF's assets after the closure of the airbase. With the closure of
155-558: A record US15.2 billion in sales. From 2008, the show moved from Singapore as Reed Exhibitions could not agree with the Government of Singapore over development plans for a new 24-hectare permanent exhibition site in Changi . While Reeds was still in negotiations to source for a new location, the Singapore government announced its intentions to organise the Singapore Airshow from 2008 in
186-617: A refuelling stop and underwent minor repairs en route from Australia in 2007. The USAF Boeing 747-200 E-4B regularly lands at the base when the U.S. Secretary of Defense visits Singapore, as does the Boeing 757 C-32A that carries the Secretary of State. On 14 November 2009, Air Force One carrying President Barack Obama landed at Paya Lebar Air Base to attend the APEC Singapore 2009 Summit. On 10 June 2018, President Donald Trump landed at
217-577: A total of 26,814 trade visitors from 81 countries recorded, and trade deals amounting to US$ 3.52 billion were concluded in the 2004 event. From 1988 onwards, the Asian Aerospace was held at the Changi Exhibition Centre , a purpose built convention center for the trade fair. In 1997, it was announced the trade fair will be moved to a new location within Changi, Singapore. The largest edition of
248-478: A wired fence. It became a complete military airbase in 1981 when Singapore Changi Airport was opened and was subsequently renamed as Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in the same year. The air base currently houses aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and two squadrons of F-15SG Strike Eagles. The flying squadrons are: The support squadrons are: Former squadrons based here are: Under Singapore's permission,
279-535: Is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in Singapore located at Airport Road in Paya Lebar , in the eastern region of Singapore. The airbase goes by the motto of Strength Through Readiness . It was originally built in 1954 as Singapore International Airport to replace Kallang Airport ; control of the airport was transferred to RSAF in 1980 when it was renamed Paya Lebar Air Base, following
310-411: Is based in the 1960s both on the airfield and in the surrounding areas. In June 1975, the Singapore government acquired about two-thirds of the airbase (saved for the main flight-line, hangar / aircraft maintenance facilities and control tower which were located in the western section of the airbase) for the construction of the new Singapore Changi Airport, with the new runways in close alignment with
341-400: Is open to the public and showcases the air force's history and capabilities. The museum is located at 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234 beside the airbase. It went through an upgrade and update of the exhibits in 2015. Changi Air Base The Changi Air Base ( IATA : SIN , ICAO : WSSS ) is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) located at Changi , in
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#1732859455680372-660: The Airfield Maintenance Squadron. The air base badge carries the motto Together in Excellence . The area where Changi Air Base now sits was once a large encampment of British Army artillery and combat engineer units based in Singapore between the mid-1930s up until mid-February 1942, when the island fell under Japanese occupation after the British surrender that year. This large encampment, comprising several barracks and military administrative buildings such as Roberts Barrack and Selarang Camp, were used together with
403-748: The Paya Lebar Airbase is also used by various flying units of United States Air Force and United States Navy (including United States Marine Corps Aviation ) as a strategic refuelling stopover and staging post/transit point ; the base is also used permanently by the 497th Combat Training Squadron for other flight operations since 31 October 1991. Paya Lebar Air Base also plays host to USAF VIP aircraft as well, with regular visits by Air Force One , such as during President George W. Bush 's two visits to Singapore in October 2003 and November 2006. Air Force Two carrying Vice-President Dick Cheney also made
434-544: The absence of Asian Aerospace. It was revealed on 13 February 2006 [1] that Reed has chosen AsiaWorld–Expo at Hong Kong International Airport island , Lantau Island , Hong Kong as the new site, with the first relocated show to be held in 2007 to avoid clashing with the Singapore Airshow the following year. On 3 September 2007, the 4-day Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress began in Hong Kong with 500 companies from 20 countries participating. The Airbus A380
465-1019: The airbase in the Boeing VC-25A for the 2018 North Korea–United States summit . North Korean leader Kim Jong Un landed at Changi Airport instead, on a chartered Air China Boeing 747 . On 22 August 2021, Air Force Two carrying Vice-President Kamala Harris arrived at the airbase for an official visit. PLAB was chosen to host Air Force One for the 12 June 2018 North Korea–United States summit between President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un . Although early media reports speculated that Kim's Ilyushin Il-62 would land at PLAB, his plane landed at Singapore Changi Airport instead. On 6 June 2018, Singapore's aviation authorities announced temporary airspace restrictions that were put in place for parts of 11–13 June. Aircraft arriving at Singapore Changi Airport were required to reduce speed with some restrictions on runway use. Aviators were also informed to keep
496-514: The airbase, height restrictions imposed at Singapore's central business district (CBD) which limits buildings to a maximum height of 280 meters unless special permissions are granted will be lifted, and the airbase's area will be redeveloped into a new town with residential housing projects, offices, factories, and parks. Parts of the old airbase (e.g. runway) will also be integrated to this new town to conserve its heritage, with parks and museums. Being Singapore's first major international airport,
527-461: The airfield received its first flying squadron of SADC – the Alouette Squadron and their Alouette III helicopters shortly after New Year's Day 1972. With the arrival of the first Shorts Skyvans in 1973, SADC began to form the 121 Squadron at Changi Air Base and it is currently the oldest resident squadron of the airfield. The novel 'The Sound of Pirates' by former RAF airman Terence Brand
558-548: The eastern tip of Singapore. Sited at two locations to the east and west of Singapore Changi Airport , the base co-shares runway facilities with the civilian airport and currently occupies a third runway slated for future expansion for civilian use by Singapore Changi Airport. Together, the two airfields house 121 Squadron, 112 Squadron, 145 Squadron, the Field Defence Squadron, the Air Logistics Squadron and
589-588: The nearby Changi Prison (previously a maximum-security incarceration complex for civilians) for housing many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) after Japan took over control of Singapore. The construction of the current airfield in Changi Air Base was initiated by the occupying Imperial Japanese Armed Forces using those same Allied POWs imprisoned in the Changi area as forced labourers, building two roughly-paved landing strips between 1943 and 1944, intersecting in
620-646: The new VC10 arrived reducing flight time, rather than the 24hrs-with stops- of the Britannia. In 1966, the company focused more on Singapore, buying Boeing 707s , headquartering itself in that country, and renaming itself Malaysia-Singapore Airlines – with a notable fluorescent yellow livery. Its primary hub became Paya Lebar, and services began to reach out further into North Asia. From 1979 to 1980, British Airways, in conjunction with Singapore Airlines, began supersonic Concorde services from London's Heathrow Airport , to Paya Lebar Singapore. Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
651-804: The new airport in 1975 and opened in 1981. Paya Lebar then closed to civil traffic, the IATA airport code of SIN and the ICAO airport code of WSSS were transferred to the newly opened civilian airport in Changi . Singapore International Airport began to be gradually converted into a military air-force base from late 1967 onwards. During that year, an Air Movement Centre was constructed to handle passengers and cargo arriving on Republic of Singapore Air Force , and Ministry of Defence charter flights and foreign military aircraft . The original terminal building (painted green), maintenance hangar and control tower are retained. Access to terminal and hangars are off-limits closed off by
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#1732859455680682-469: The old passenger terminal building and control tower still stands, though they now house air force units and are off-limits to the public. Nevertheless, much of the interior still remains intact and is almost completely preserved from the time it was first built. The road which used to lead to the old passenger terminal is also still known as Airport Road. The RSAF maintains the Air Force Museum , which
713-523: The original north–south runway. The east–west runway was almost erased from the map, currently surviving as a taxiway to the apron area which has remained operational as part of Changi Air Base. Following the opening of the new Changi Air Base (East) (Changi East Complex) on 29 November 2004, the existing facilities at Changi Air Base has been renamed as Changi Air Base (West) (Changi West Complex) and Headquarters Changi Air Base (HQ CAB). The flying squadrons now are: The Support Squadrons are: The base
744-539: The relocation of the civilian airport to Changi . Under the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)'s Master Plan, Paya Lebar Air Base is scheduled to be decommissioned by around 2030 to make way for residential and commercial developments as a new town , with the RSAF relocating to other airbases throughout the country such as at Changi and Tengah , which will be expanded throughout the 2020s. The airport
775-938: The show was held from 21 February to 26 February 2006, the 13th and final show in Singapore. Held jointly with several conferences including the Asia Pacific Security Conference (APSEC), the C4I Asia Conference (C4i Asia), the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS), the Asian Aerospace UAV Asia-Pacific Conference and the IATA/Asian Aerospace Aviation Summit, it featured a rebranded Asian Defense Technology military component. At show's end, it drew 940 exhibitors from 43 countries, 34,300 trade participants from 89 countries and concluded
806-532: The term " ANZUK ", for Australia, New Zealand and the UK) stationed in the eastern and northern parts of Singapore while Alexandra Hospital was directed for those stationed in the southern and western areas of Singapore. Upon the withdrawal of British forces from Singapore, RAF Changi was renamed as Changi Air Base (CAB) and was handed over to the SADC (predecessor of Republic of Singapore Air Force) on 9 December 1971. Thereafter,
837-612: Was a satellite station of RAF Changi (being the Headquarters Air component part of British Far East Command ) until the withdrawal of British troops from Singapore at the end of the 1960s. Also, the nearby RAF Hospital Changi (now defunct as Changi Hospital and more prominently known as Old Changi Hospital, OCH) functioned as the primary British military hospital which provided medical care for all British, Australian and New Zealand servicemen (collectively, these three Commonwealth states which based troops in Singapore became known by
868-597: Was allowed to do a special flypast twice over the Victoria Harbour as part of the show. The Aircraft Interiors EXPO ASIA was held concurrently with the airshow, but the scaled-down show was without its military-related businesses due to political sensitivities in relation to China . Immediately prior to the event's commencement, Reeds announced over 500 exhibitors from over 20 countries and around 10,000 pre-registered trade visitors. Paya Lebar Air Base The Paya Lebar Air Base ( IATA : QPG , ICAO : WSAP )
899-505: Was built from 1952 to 1955, and opened on 20 August that year by the Secretary of State for the Colonies , Alan Lennox-Boyd . The architect for the project was J. J. Bryan, a public works engineer with experience constructing airports in other parts of Asia. It was one of the two hubs for Malayan Airways at this time, and the airline had its first flight outside Southeast Asia in 1958, using
930-421: Was dissolved in 1972, with the airline splitting into two; Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines were formed – the latter keeping all the 707s; and Singapore Airlines remaining at Paya Lebar. Passenger numbers rose from 1.7 million to 4 million between 1970 and 1975. The airport was constrained by housing estates and although some work was done to keep it operational in the meantime, construction began on
961-408: Was then renamed as RAF Changi in 1946 by the returning British military authorities. Now, it was the newly imprisoned Japanese troops under British captivity which were then made to improve both runways, reinforcing the north–south runway for military aircraft and adding perforated steel plates on the east–west runway. Completed post-war, non-flying RAF Chia Keng — a GCHQ radio-receiving station,