AAIS launches publication on Singapore aerospace industry heritage, and promising entrepreneurs programme, at 20th anniversary celebrations

• AAIS launches “Propel”, a commemorative book tracing the beginnings, rise and evolution of Singapore’s aviation and aerospace industries, featuring stories from major aerospace organisations on their development within the Singapore aerospace ecosystem and community. 

• Announces the Promising Entrepreneurs Programme (PEP), a new year-long programme specially tailored by AAIS for the next generation of SME leaders to foster growth and development in the aerospace sector.

The Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) marked the culmination of its 20th Anniversary celebrations with an industry Gala Dinner held on 9 November 2023. Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade & Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, graced the occasion as the evening’s guest-of honour. The Gala event was also attended by senior representatives from AAIS membership, industry professionals and the Association’s partners.

The Singapore aerospace sector has demonstrated a strong resurgence following the global downturn in air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since emerged as a bright spot in Singapore’s manufacturing sector, with industrial production exceeding pre-COVID levels in the aerospace industry by 2022. The industry has continued this trajectory on the back of robust demand for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, achieving a 20% growth in output during the first eight months of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. According to the Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore’s global market share in aerospace engine MRO has reached 15%, establishing it as the largest engine MRO industrial base in Asia Pacific.

Celebrating Singapore Aviation and Aerospace Heritage

Marking this significant progress and as part of its 20th Anniversary celebrations, AAIS launched “Propel”, a commemorative book that traces the humble beginnings and fascinating rise of aviation and aerospace in Singapore. The book’s central narrative explores the history of aviation in Singapore, from the first airfields of the Royal Air Force to the development of Changi Airhub. These chapters were penned by Goh Yong Kiat, an industry veteran and author with several publications on Singapore's aviation and air defence history.

Interspersed between the central narrative are stories contributed by leading aerospace companies in Singapore – including SIA Engineering Company, ST Engineering, Airbus, Boeing, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Collins, Rolls-Royce, Thales, and ACP Metals – as well as the Economic Development Board. Together, "Propel" paints a vibrant and collective portrait of the aerospace sector's growth, alongside the flourishing of Singapore’s air transport industry. (The book will be made available for sale to the public. See Annex A for more details.)

Initiative to Promote SME Development in Aerospace

AAIS also announced the Promising Entrepreneurs Programme (PEP), a new year-long programme tailored by AAIS to foster the growth and development of next generation SME leaders in the aerospace sector.

Recognising that many SME members are family-run businesses with multi- generational leadership, AAIS conceived PEP to equip these emerging leaders with the essential knowledge and skills to guide their companies into the future. The PEP receives support from the Transfingo group of companies, an AAIS member and SME, also celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. (See Annex B for more details.)