By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SUBANG, Sept 8 — Selangor remains the top destination for aerospace and aviation companies who seek opportunities to set up their operations in the country, says Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said since 2020 to date, there has been a significant increase of companies from the sector which have established its operation in the state.
“The Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport alone houses up to nineteen fixed-wing business aviation and general aviation operators as well as up to thirteen helicopter operators, of which more than 80 per cent are locally owned.
“The airport also hosts its first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) owned management, repair and operations (MRO), namely Execujet MRO Services.
“Owned by Dassault Aviation, its regional MRO hangar facility is targeted to be operational by the third quarter of next year,” he said when delivering his speech during the Selangor Air Show 2022 (SAS 2022) opening ceremony at the SkyPark Regional Aviation Centre (SkyPark RAC), here today.
The event was graced by Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah.
Also in attendance were state executive councillor for investment, industry and trade Dato’ Teng Chang Khim, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Invest Selangor Bhd (Invest Selangor) chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris.
Amirudin said he believed that SAS 2022 will play a pivotal role in bridging the industry players with potential investors and partners domestically as well as globally, thus turning its theme “The One & Only Business Aviation Show in the Region” into a reality.
“Since 2019, the state government through Invest Selangor has facilitated aerospace companies in weathering the pandemic.
“This includes organising SAS 2021, which has seen multiple participation from industry players and potential investors.
“In fact, through the recently launched First Selangor Plan (RS-1), we have identified the aerospace and aviation industry as one of the nine focus sectors in the state’s 5-year development plan, which runs from 2021 to 2025,” he added.
The second iteration of the air show starts from today until Saturday with 58 local and international companies participating in the event.
