Singapore Airshow to feature 8 aerial displays; China’s C919 airliner to make first appearance at event

SINGAPORE: This year’s Singapore Airshow will feature eight aerial displays, with China’s C919 airliner flying at the event for the first time.

The event will be held from Feb 20 to Feb 25 at the Changi Exhibition Centre.

The eight aerial displays will comprise flypasts from six air forces and two commercial companies, its organiser Experia said in a media release on Friday (Feb 9).

One of the highlights of this year’s airshow will be the C919, a narrow-body airliner developed by Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC.

It is China’s first domestically developed passenger jet and was designed to compete with Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

The inaugural commercial flight of the C919 was operated by China Eastern Airlines between Shanghai and Beijing last May.

Besides the C919, this year’s line-up includes the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team, which will be making its first appearance at the Singapore Airshow.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Roulettes, the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles and the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team will also put on displays.

A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, meanwhile, will make a flypast on Feb 22.

“Capping the list is the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s integrated aerial display team featuring an F-15SG fighter jet and the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter,” Experia said

An Airbus A350-1000 will also be appearing at the event.

The aerial displays will be held once a day at 12.30pm on Feb 20 and 11.30am on Feb 21 and Feb 22. Over the weekend on Feb 24 and Feb 25, there will be two displays a day at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Experia said that the schedule and timings are subject to changes and advised attendees to check the Singapore Airshow website for updates.

In a statement, Experia managing director Leck Chet Lam said: “Flying performances are always a key highlight at Singapore Airshow. As the public were either given limited or no access in the previous two editions due to safety measures during a pandemic, we anticipate strong interest in the upcoming flying performances.

“We are especially thrilled to welcome familiar favourites; and also flying teams and aircraft that are flying at (the) Singapore Airshow for the first time.”

Feb 20 to Feb 23 are trade days at the event. Members of the public can purchase tickets for Feb 24 and Feb 25, which provide access to a static aircraft display area, through SISTIC.

The static display line-up will be announced on the Singapore Airshow website at a later date.