Singapore Airshow to feature aerial displays and the international debut of China's C919

A workers prepares a China’s COMAC C919 aircraft during the first day of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

SINGAPORE (AP) — The Singapore Airshow – Asia’s largest – kicks off Tuesday with an array of aerial displays including some by China’s COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner.

A China’s COMAC C919 aircraft is on display during the first day of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

It’s the first time Singapore has opened the event to the public since 2020, when a scaled-down version went ahead as the COVID-19 pandemic was just starting.

The biennial show comes as Asia’s aviation sector is taking off following the hard years of the pandemic, when many countries in the region closed their borders to most international travel.

Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said that this year’s show was “back in full swing” with over 1,000 exhibitors.

“The Singapore Airshow is a good opportunity for exhibitors to show off the direction they’re going, in terms of technology like autonomous vehicles and so forth,” Menon said in an interview Tuesday.

He said passenger loads in the region are nearly back to pre-COVID levels, and that Asia Pacific is expected to account for 50% of the growth in air travel demand this year.

But even as the aviation sector bounces back, the industry faces a broader supply chain crunch, with parts and plane shortages and shortages of personnel, from air crews to pilots.

A China’s Comac C919 aircraft is displayed during the first day of Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. The Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest, kicked off Tuesday with an array of aerial displays including some by China’s COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

“Supply chain issues are definitely affecting the timely delivery of aircraft and spares, and that’s one of the reasons why capacity growth is lagging behind traffic growth,” Menon said.

“We do not know when this will ease as it’s related to trade tensions and geopolitical problems that are happening around the world,” he said.

On Tuesday, China’s Tibet Airlines finalized an order for 40 C919 passenger jets and 10 ARJ21 regional jets from the Commercial Aircraft Company of China (COMAC). The two companies signed the deal on the sidelines of the airshow.

Visitors walk in front of a poster of China’s Comac C919 aircraft during the first day of Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. The Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest, kicked off Tuesday with an array of aerial displays including some by China’s COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

COMAC’s C919 is a narrow-body airliner, similar to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing’s 737 Max jets. COMAC designed many of the C919’s parts but some of its key components, including its engine, are still sourced from the West.

A visitor walks in front of a poster of China’s Comac C919 aircraft during the first day of Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. The Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest, kicked off Tuesday with an array of aerial displays including some by China’s COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

The orders come as COMAC attempts to position itself as a viable option for single-aisle jets, as companies like Boeing and Airbus grapple with a backlog of orders.

The company has received over 1,000 orders for its C919, according to Chinese media, although the plane is currently only certified in mainland China. Four C919s are currently operational with China Eastern Airlines.

Highlights of this year’s show include an aerial display of China’s C919. Airbus will also be showcasing its widebody A350-1000 aircraft.

The C919’s debut at the show is the first time the jet has made a trip outside Chinese territory, though the aircraft performed a fly-past in Hong Kong in December in its its first foray outside of mainland China.

Singapore Airshow

The Republic of Singapore Air Force will deploy an F-15SG fighter jet and an AH-64D Apache helicopter for its aerial display. The U.S. Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress will also make a fly-past on Thursday.

China’s COMAC Chairman He Dongfeng, center right at the background, witnesses a signing ceremony during the first day of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

The lineup also includes the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles, the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter and the Royal Australian Air Force’s Roulettes. The Indian Air Force’s Sarang aerial display team will showcase its aerial acrobatics.

U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing will not be featuring any passenger jets at the show. The firm is under scrutiny after a midflight blowout of a fuselage panel on one of its 737 Max 9 jets last month.

This year’s airshow is also expected to spotlight sustainable aviation, with Airbus using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel made of feedstock from cooking oil and tallow, together with conventional jet fuel for the A350-1000 aircraft in its aerial display.

Aircraft models of China’s COMAC C919 and AR J21 are on display at the COMAC pavilion during the first day of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Hyundai’s U.S.-based Supernal unit, which specializes in advanced mobility aircraft such as air taxis, is also an exhibitor in this year’s airshow.

The event, which runs from Feb. 20 to 25, is expected to draw more than 50,000 visitors. Over 1,000 companies from over 50 countries are participating.

FILE – A visitor wearing protective mask walks past the Boeing booth during the Singapore Airshow 2022 at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore, on Feb. 15, 2022. The Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest, kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 with an array of aerial displays including some by China’s COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah, File)