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HONG KONG: One of Asia's largest air shows kicked off in Hong Kong on Monday, with 500 companies from more than 20 countries taking part.
To kick off the four-day Asian Aerospace, the world's largest passenger jet swooped below some of Hong Kong's tallest buildings, attracting excited crowds along Victoria Harbour.
Planes are usually not allowed to fly so close to Hong Kong's famous skyline, but special permission was given to the super jumbo Airbus A380 to do a special flypast - not once, but twice.
"This is a rare chance to see the jet flying so low across the Victoria Harbour. I had to come and see it," said one in the audience.
Many were amazed at how quiet the double-decker was despite its size.
The stunt was to highlight the start of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, held in Hong Kong for the first time.
The move from its original home in Singapore reflects a boom in the Chinese aviation market.
Both Airbus and its rival Boeing are eager for a bigger slice of the growing market in China.
Airbus has already sold five A380s to mainland airlines, and expects China to shift towards bigger aircrafts.
"We don't have 50 per cent of the aircrafts flying in China because Boeing had an earlier start there, but with over 50 per cent of the orders, we would see ourselves catching up in terms of the number of fleets in China," said John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer for customers.
Airbus now has 174 orders for the new A380s from 14 clients worldwide, and its first delivery is to Singapore Airlines in the middle of next month.
Asian Aerospace 2007 is a decidedly different air show from the previous ones held in Singapore. Gone are the fighter jets that drew crowds, it is now more a business-to-business exhibition with more private jet planes on display.
Business jet maker Dassault Falcon is beefing up its sales and marketing team in Asia.
"China, Hong Kong, Macau has been very active and a big change for us, and that's why it's very important to be here," said John Rosanvallon, CEO of Dassault Falcon.
According to the International Air Transport Association, Asia Pacific is set to account for 35 per cent of all new aircrafts delivered over the next one and a half years – around 600 new planes, a figure higher than in any other regions. - CNA/ac
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