Singapore ousts Reed to set up rival air show

This follows a breakdown in negotiations with the Singapore government over the show's future. Trade-show veteran Jimmy Lau, who was involved in the show until 2002, will be involved in running the new air show. Lau is now the managing director of Changi International Airshow and Events, which will launch a biennial air show in Singapore in February 2008 at a new site in Changi North. The company is a joint venture between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Defence Science and Technology Agency. Reed Exhibitions director, business planning and development, Paul Lee, said: "Reed Exhibitions has been in discussions with various Asian locations as potential host venues for future Asian Aerospace exhibitions and air shows, where they will be able to offer the same, if not better, standards of service to customers." While the identities of potential partners are still confidential, Lee said the location and venue of the 2008 event would probably be announced during the Dubai Air Show in late November, or before or during Asian Aerospace 2006 in February. Lee said: "Given the complex nature of the decision-making process, it is understandable that the process might take some time. "The complexity is heightened by the need to ensure that the new location will be based on the likelihood of strong buying power and excellent relations with other Asian buying states. At the same time, the new location must be economically viable."