By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Sept 11 — In the wake of the post-pandemic surge in the aviation sector, coupled with the growing demand for air travel and an acute need for a skilled workforce, Selangor is positioning itself as the civil aviation nucleus for Southeast Asia, said Ng Sze Han.
Ng, the Selangor state executive councillor for trade, investment, and mobility, underscored Selangor’s comprehensive aviation infrastructure as a cornerstone that provides the region with a distinct advantage.
“Aviation industry representatives have highlighted that the demand for air travel is mounting, post-pandemic. Thus, it’s an opportunity for Selangor to seize this burgeoning market,” he told the press at the Selangor Aviation Show (SAS) 2023 in Bukit Jelutong, here, on September 9.
Ng said Selangor boasts a robust ecosystem tailored to train and upscale workers within the aviation realm.
“Selangor’s established aviation foundation is an asset. The mission now is to upscale this industry, focusing on collaborations between local authorities and civil aviation stakeholders,” he said.
Soaring high
As Selangor is home to a fair amount of aviation infrastructure, the current ambition is to grow the industry, advocating for bolstered support from local governance and enhanced collaboration with domestic civil aviation stakeholders.
From a broader perspective, Ng said, Southeast Asia is increasingly emerging as a vital hub for aviation, fuelled by the region’s economic growth and swelling appetite for air travel.
He said Selangor plays a central role in this evolution by hosting aerospace-centric endeavours and events like the SAS.
“Attendance at SAS has seen a notable jump, already charting over 12,000 participants (as of noon on September 9), which surpasses the previous year’s count of 10,000 attendees.
“In addition to the rising attendance, we’ve also witnessed an increase in the number of forums and talks held.
“This year, we hosted 33 events featuring 65 distinguished speakers. Furthermore, the number of exhibitors joining us this year came to 119, a remarkable increase from last year’s 66.”
However, Ng clarified that this year’s anticipated total number of transactions remains around RM700 million from the 27 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed over the three-day event, which ran from September 7.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate some variability in the value of transactions, as not every MoU yields immediate financial benefits, and they often require time to come to fruition. What we do foresee, however, is a heightened level of participation, scale, and interest in future iterations of SAS,” he said.
In the previous year, SAS 2022 reported transaction values exceeding RM1 billion.
Turning skills to gold
Apart from helping the recovery of the aviation industry, Ng said the Selangor air show also fits into the state’s catalytic economic plan, the First Selangor Plan (RS-1), emphasising five sub-sectors within the aviation sector.
“The five sub-sectors are namely the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), aero manufacturing, system integration, the design and engineering segment, and education and training, which equip future professionals with the skills and knowledge essential for the aerospace industry’s continued growth,” he said.
Ng elaborated that the state administration is keenly focused on nurturing local talent and bridging the aerospace and aviation industry gap using platforms like SAS.
“We recently organised the SAS 2023 Career Fair, featuring 25 local and international employers. This fair acts as a conduit, linking industry stalwarts with vibrant talent eager to embark on a career in aerospace and aviation.
“We’re also connecting these industry players with a rich pool of local talent at the career fair, creating avenues for individuals to elevate their careers in the aerospace domain.
“Our primary aim is to provide our citizens with high-income jobs, fostering enhanced social mobility and empowering them to advance professionally.”
Ng expressed his aspiration for local universities and vocational colleges to introduce more aviation-centric courses tailored to industry demands.
Speaking about SAS’s success, Ng shared that the event is making waves on the global stage, evident from the international participation in both the exhibitions and the career fair.
“We anticipate nothing but growth ahead, with evident keen interest from industry players for future editions of SAS,” Ng said.
The first two days of the trade show welcomed thousands of trade visitors who participated in industry talks, forums, and networking events.
Key industry players from the civil aviation sub-sector, including MROs, aviation educational institutions, and aviation manufacturers, were in attendance.
Major companies such as Dassault Systemes, Gulfstream, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad were among those present.
On September 9, the trade show was open to the public on its final day, showcasing its static display of 40 aircraft, ranging from seaplanes and commercial jets to air defence assets, and the Layang Layang Flying Academy performed aerobatics for thousands of spectators.
