China-Singapore Bilateral Aviation Forum

AAIS is delighted to have successfully held our first jointly organised event with the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA). The China-Singapore Bilateral Aviation Forum held on 22 February at Singapore Airshow 2024, brought together business leaders, officials and academics from China and Singapore to exchange ideas on the development of the aviation and aerospace industry in the region.

Amidst the anticipated robust growth in the Asia-Pacific fleet and passenger traffic in the coming decades, the Forum facilitated extensive discussions on enhancing supply chains, exploring the next generation of air travel, and furthering global and industry sustainability goals. Emerging technologies and innovations such as digitalisation, generative AI, electrification, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel were among the hot topics of discussion.

Addressing partners and attendees at the top of the event, AAIS President Mr Wong Yue Jeen iterated the shifting nexus of commercial aviation towards China and the Asia Pacific region in the next decades. Fueled by strong demand for air travel, investments in infrastructure to expand capacity, and rising domestic demand in China and low-cost carriers in Southeast Asia, the region is poised not only to lead but fundamentally reshape the aerospace ecosystem. Mr. Wong highlighted the tremendous potential for cooperation between China and Singapore, particularly with the advent of new frontiers in travel such as air taxis, drones, and space.

In his opening remarks, Mr Yao Junchen, CSAA Vice Chairman and Secretary-General emphasised the significance of China’s debut at the Singapore Airshow, recognising it as a valuable opportunity for fostering business connections and exchanging technological insights. He also highlighted the recent establishment of the International Green Aviation Association (IAGA), comprising over 50 organisations and individuals worldwide and dedicated to advancing sustainability in aviation through technological advancements and global cooperation.

The Forum featured presentations covering an array of topics, including the aviation market, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), digital Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), the future of airports, and industry trends. The lineup of speakers represented a diverse cross-section of the industry from both China and Singapore, showcasing expertise and insights from various perspectives.

Presenting Speakers:

  • Mr David So, Senior Vice President Corporate Planning & Continuous Improvement, SIA Engineering Company
  • Ms Mabel Kwan, Managing Director, Alton Aviation Consultancy
  • Mr Xiao Erbin, Senior Commercial Director, EHang
  • Ms Ding Ling, Deputy Mayor, Langfang Municipal People’s Government and Director, Beijing Daxing International Airport Airport Economic Zone (Langfang) Management Committee
  • Ms Qian Lili, Deputy Director, Investment Promotion Bureau of Taicang City, Jiangsu Province

Two panel discussions, featuring industry experts, delved into reshaping business strategies for sustainable growth in MRO and manufacturing. The discussions underscored the importance of building supply chain resilience, fostering collaborative partnerships, embracing data-driven customer-centric approaches, and prioritizing capability development. Speakers unanimously agreed that these factors were essential for positioning businesses to overcome challenges, enhance efficiency, and adapt to evolving market demands. There was also a strong consensus that international cooperation between the private sector, government, and research institutions was crucial for optimizing the entire aviation industry on a global scale. Speakers emphasised the need for coordinated and collaborative efforts to drive innovation and progress.

Panel 1: Technological Innovation and International Cooperation in Aviation
Moderator: Dr Kenneth Low, Associate Professor and Engineering Group Leader, Singapore Institute of Technology
Panelists:

  • Mr Fu Jian, Associate Professor, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Mr Henry Hooi, Founder, Volar Ltd. and  Founding Member of IAGA
  • Mr David Schulte, Managing Director Marketing, India, South East Asia, and Asia Pacific, Boeing
  • Mr Guo Qing, Vice President, Embraer China

Panel 2: Overview of Aviation MRO and Manufacturing Development
Moderator: Mr Rahul Shah, Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth and Business Development – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, AAR International
Panelists:

  • Mr Desmond Goh, Managing Director, Eaton Industries
  • Mr Philip Sung, Director of Sales, Global Aftermarket & Asia OEM and General Manager, Auxitrol Weston Singapore
  • Mr Patrick (Peng) Wang, President, Shanghai Handao Technologies Company

Overall, the Forum highlighted the importance of international cooperation in driving progress and innovation within the aviation and aerospace industry. It also provided a valuable platform for networking and relationship-building among speakers, participants, and the organisers, facilitating connections that could lead to tangible opportunities for collaboration, growth and development. AAIS extends our gratitude to our partners CSAA and Experia, for their invaluable support and contribution to this successful event.