SINGAPORE, Feb 11 — The fourth edition Singapore Airshow 2014, Asia’s largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world, kicked off today at the Changi Exhibition Centre.

The airshow will see the largest number of exhibiting companies, 1,000 companies from 47 countries, including more than 60 of the world’s top 100 aerospace companies.

Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Experia Events, the organiser of the airshow, said the airshow is set to be “our biggest yet and promises exhibitors, delegates and visitors an excellent experience.”

The airshow features 22 country/group pavilions, including new pavilions from Hong Kong and Malaysia, he told media briefing.

Malaysia will be showcasing its homegrown exhibitors under a pavilion by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).

The airshow will also see increased participation from Japan.

Besides the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Chubu region will also set up pavilions, featuring aerospace companies from their regions.

New exhibitors at the airshow include Alpha Star Aviation Services from Saudi Arabia, Aero AT (Jiang Su) Aviation Technology from China, ExecuJet Aviation Group from Switzerland and Jetcraft from the United Kingdom.

Visitors can also look forward to a world-class flying display, with a record number of flying display participants in the history of airshows in Singapore.

The flying display includes performances by three aerobatic teams from Singapore, South Korea and Indonesia, with the key highlight being the Airbus A350XWB, which marks its first full display at an international airshow.

There will also be solo aerobatics performances by the Royal Australian Air Force, the United States Air Force and the Yak-130.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein are among dignitaries attending the airshow, which will end on February 16. — Bernama