TEN of the country’s aerospace industry players are participating in the Singapore Airshow taking place this month to shore up interest in the Philippines as a potential aerospace maintenance and manufacturing destination.
John T. Lee, president of the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines, told the BusinessMirror that this year marks the debut of the Philippines to Asia’s largest air show, to be held from February 16 to 21.
“It’s the first time we’re joining the event, and the objective is to entice maintenance and manufacturing [firms] to take a look at the Philippines as an alternate destination,” Lee said in a text message.
Lee added in an earlier interview he is pushing for the Philippines to be a top-of-mind choice for manufacturers, given the considerable demand in aircraft orders faced by leading aircraft makers, such as Boeing and Airbus. Aerospace manufacturers, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies, and general defense and aviation players converge at the Singapore Airshow every two years, buoyed by the overall increase in military spending and air travel in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Philippine group will be composed of parts manufacturers, aviation schools and MRO companies.
The parts manufacturers include Famous Secret Precision Machining Inc., which supplies parts for the automotive, motorcycle and aerospace industries. Applied Machining Corp. caters to the aerospace, medical and performance racing industry.
Other parts makers are Firstec Metallics Inc., Surface Technology International Phils. Inc., and Mottai-Nai Phils. Technology Corp.
MRO companies joining the group include Philjets Aero Services Inc., Jainevill Inc., and state firm Philippine Aeronautics Development Corp.
A particular thrust for promotion, Lee said, are the country’s aviation schools. WCC Aviation Co./Aviation School Association of the Philippines and PATTS College of Aeronautics will also be part of the Philippine mission.
According to its web site, the Singapore Airshow’s 2014 edition led to deals amounting to some $32 billion sealed between participating exhibitors, which included some of the world’s biggest exhibitors.