Aircraft Interiors Show Debuts in Hong Kong

By David Cohen -- Tradeshow Week, 9/6/2004

The U.S. airline industry may be reeling, but air travel is booming in the Asia-Pacific region, and UK & Intl. Press Events is meeting industry demand with its debut of Aircraft Interiors Expo-Asia. The show will focus on a wide range of products for commercial airliner cabins, including entertainment systems, galley equipment and seating.

Its parent show, Aircraft Interiors Expo, held in Hamburg, has been a solid success for UKIPE, tripling in size over the last three years to reach around 400 exhibitors and 8,700 visitors in April 2004. AIE-Asia will run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Sept. 14–16, 2005, five months after the 2005 edition of the Hamburg show.

Tony Robinson, managing director of UKIPE, said, "At present, for the show in Hamburg, airlines from Asia can only afford to send small delegations. By bringing the show to the market here in Asia, we expect to attract literally thousands of visitors from the airlines in the region."

UKIPE said that, as of Aug. 10, 35 percent of the available exhibition space had been booked and demand for space will likely exceed supply by the time the show opens its doors.

Organizers cited Hong Kong's importance as a regional travel hub and the quality of the HKCEC facilities as key factors in deciding to locate the show there.