You can read the advertorial published in the December 2019 Issue of MSI Turkish Defence Review here:
The second outing of Eurasia Airshow, which was inaugurated in 2018 as Turkey’s first flight demonstration-based aviation event, will be held on 22–26 April, 2020, again in Antalya. For 2020, the event organisers aim to raise the bar even higher.
One of the greatest contributions of Eurasia Airshow to the sector was the opportunity provided to thousands of aviation lovers on the public days to examine up close vehicles that they would normally only be able to see on TV or in magazines.
Designed as a regular flight demonstration-based event in Turkey, where there is a rapidly growing aviation sector, Eurasia Airshow achieved significant figures in 2018, despite being organised for the first time:
- More than 130,000 people visited the event, counting also the public days, 27,256 of whom were professional visitors.
- Platforms and systems were exhibited on a total area of 410,000 square metres and in 32 chalets.
- 343 companies introduced their products and solutions.
- A total of 81 aircraft were exhibited in the static display area.
- Over 100 flight demonstrations took place.
- 168 military and civilian delegations from 73 countries visited the event.
- The event was followed by 253 accredited members of the press from 13 countries.
The Turkish Stars team once again provided a breathtaking aerobatic display.
A number of aircraft performed air displays, and several were viewable on static display throughout Eurasia Airshow. The defence and security aspect was dominated by the Ministry of Interior, with BLACK HAWK, Mi-17, AB 412, and Bell 429 helicopters, as well as a CN235 aircraft, all of which are in the inventories of Gendarmerie General Command, the Turkish National Police and Turkish Coast Guard Command, being on display for the duration of the exhibition. The Turkish Air Force was represented at the event by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team and a KT-1, while the Turkish Land Forces participated with a T129 ATAK helicopter. The foreign participants in the defence and security section of the exhibition and the respective products they had on display were: The United Kingdom: Voyager multi-role tanker transport aircraft; the Czech Republic: Saab Gripen; Italy: C-27J; Poland: MiG-29; Ukraine: AN124, AN77 and AN178 transport aircraft.
The MiG-29 pulled up its landing gear just after take-off and posed for photographers.
In the civil section of the exhibition, various aircraft and helicopters were on display, including a Qatar Airways A350-1000, which was the only one of its kind in the world at the time of the event, and SCAC’s SSJ100.
The event hosted foreign institutions and organisations mainly from the Italy, Russia, Ukraine, and United Kingdom:
- Leonardo, which is an Italian-British venture, carried out promotional activities related to its ongoing projects in Turkey, as well as the tenders in which it has been competing.
- With the attendance of Oleg Bocharov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Russia was the country represented at the highest level at the exhibition, and steps were taken towards improving cooperation with Turkey.
- Participating at the exhibition with the widely displayed Antonov aircraft, Ukraine’s focus was on the solid projects engaged in by the two countries in cooperation.
- Officials from the UK Department for International Trade Defence & Security Organisation (DIT DSO) emphasised the existing cooperation between the two countries in the TF-X National Combat Aircraft programme.
Eurasia Airshow 2018 also witnessed several signing ceremonies, including one involving Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) related to the sale of aircraft: The company, which has developed the SSJ75 – a 75-seat version of the SSJ100 – received its first order from the S7 Group, signing a letter of intent covering 50 aircraft with an option for 25 more, and the company received a further order for 20 SSJ100s from Iran Airtour.
A show given by the Turkish National Police using a BLACK HAWK helicopter thrilled the audience.
Support Given to the Event was Apparent at the Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Eurasia Airshow was attended by many senior officials, including Münir Karaloğlu, the Governor of Antalya; Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersecretary for Defence Industries; Yüksel Coşkunyürek, Deputy Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications; Oleg Bocharov, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade; and Menderes Türel, Mayor of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality.
The demo flight performed by Gendarmerie General Command with a BLACK HAWK helicopter was a visual feast.
During its demo flight, the T129 ATAK displayed its manoeuvrability to the assembled participants.
Turkish Coast Guard Command’s AB 412 helicopter was also among the aircraft carrying out demo flights during the event.
2020 Targets Also High
Preparations for Eurasia Airshow 2020 continue at a rapid pace. Considering the developments and potential in Turkey and the surrounding region, 40 percent growth is expected at Eurasia Airshow 2020 compared to the 2018 outing.
Serving as a platform for the establishment of business connections is among the most important goals of Eurasia Airshow 2020. The target audience, scope and participants at Eurasia Airshow 2018 featured a total business potential of over $15 billion, and this potential still exists. In order fulfil this potential, a number of new features are envisaged for Eurasia Airshow 2020, including a “Meet the Buyer” programme, which aims to bring firms, procurement committees and procurement authorities together.
As in 2018, MSI TDR will be the Official Media Partner and Press Sponsor of Eurasia Airshow 2020. Complimentary copies of the Eurasia Airshow 2020 Special Issue of MSI TDR will be distributed to the participants and visitors throughout the event.
The latest developments related to Eurasia Airshow can be followed at the event website (https://www.eurasiaairshow.com/) and on its social media accounts.
