Page 30 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 Online Magazine

FeAtUre singAPore

In Pole Position

Singapore cementing its position as MRO hub of Asia
By Aprajita Anil

ACCording to tHe reCent FigUres The country’s very own home-grown global To add to that, initiatives like the biennial
released by the two aircraft manufacturing leaders ST Aerospace and SIA Engineering Singapore Airshow, which attracts the who’s
giants – Airbus and Boeing – globally more Company (SIAEC) are among the world’s who of the industry and is therefore an
than 34,000 aircraft are expected to be top five airframe MRO companies. Frost & excellent platform to showcase Singapore’s
delivered in the next 20 years. Forty per cent Sullivan’s Aerospace & Defence Consultant capabilities, and the Seletar Aerospace Park,
of these deliveries will be in Asia Pacific. This for Public Sector, Ramesh Tanjavuru said, which has attracted numerous investors,
growth, clubbed with the increasing trend “Singapore has been able to cash in on a further aid the development of the sector
for global air travel, will further spike the large part of this growth as the market is and this helps give Singapore a distinctive
Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) more developed in comparison to the other competitive edge over the other countries in
activities of the region. countries of the region. Employing almost Asia and globally,” said Tanjavuru.
The country to reap maximum 20,000 people, the industry’s annual output Having the most liberal aviation policy in
benefits from these increasing demands is over S$8 billion (US$ 5.6 billion). About 90 Southeast Asia, Singapore has been an active
is Singapore. Home to large and highly per cent of this is accounted for by the MRO advocate of open skies, concluding over
diversified aerospace players – close to 125 sector, while the remaining 10 per cent is 30 Open Skies Agreements. The agreement
companies – there are several factors that devoted to the manufacturing industry.” envisages the liberalisation of air travel and
contribute in making the country a leading An important factor that contributes the removal of restrictions on air transport
aviation hub in Asia-Pacific. Singapore’s in augmenting the country’s position as of passengers and cargo for airlines thus,
MRO sector accounts for 25 per cent of an MRO leader is the strong government creating a very well developed ecosystem for
the regional market and 10 per cent of the support. With the aviation industry being a aerospace players. “This ensures that new
global market. It is a centre for one of the key component of the Singaporean economy, investments keep on coming. The ecosystem
most advanced MRO clusters in the region, the country offers investors an attractive has also led to the advancement of support
with companies providing an array of nose- and stable macroeconomic environment. As services such as logistics and training. This
to-tail MRO capabilities for airframes, per a World Bank report, Singapore ranks makes it easier for companies to operate out
engines, components, avionics as well as second in the world in terms of the ease of of Singapore as compared to other countries.
aircraft modifications and conversions. doing business. Recent developments in the sector include
These core competencies, coupled with “The lack of regulatory hurdles and Airbus and SIAEC’s S$136 million investment
the commitment to quality and safety, are delays associated with most developing in a training center and Airbus signing an
what recognizes Singapore as a one-stop countries make Singapore an attractive place MoU to conduct proof-of-concept trials for
solutions provider for airlines’ maintenance for businesses to thrive in. Today, almost all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS),” added
and repair needs. global OEMs have a regional hub in Singapore. Tanjavuru.

30 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA