The Singapore Airshow, hailed as Asia's premier aerospace and defence exposition, is set to return this Tuesday, boasting new exhibitors, captivating aerial demonstrations, and a strong emphasis on sustainability. Scheduled from February 20-25, 2024, the event will welcome over 1,000 companies from more than 50 countries, alongside the reintroduction of Weekend@Airshow (previously known as Public Days). Among the prominent participants this year are leading aviation entities such as Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. The key focus of sustainability is at the core of the Singapore Airshow this year, with examples of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) by Eve Air Mobility & Wisk Aero to Neste with sustainable aviation fuel, the message of moving towards a sustainable future for aviation is clear. In addition to the display of in-development and readily available sustainable aviation solutions, the Sustainable Aviation Forum under the Airshow's AeroForums program brings together two panels of experts including business leads from Airbus, Boeing, Cathay Pacific and Neste to explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving net-zero emissions in the skies. “As the aviation sector returns with a strong growth trajectory, the global platform and vibrant marketplace that Singapore Airshow offers will be critical as the industry seeks the solutions, ideas and partners that will help it navigate the challenges ahead.  With over 1,000 participating companies and more than 50,000 trade visitors expected, we’ve been mindful to ensure that our programming also offers attendees the opportunity to engage with industry thought leaders in key discussions and to that end our AeroForum series has been curated to delve into the areas of Advanced Air Mobility, Sustainability as well as international co-operation." - Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia, organiser of Singapore Airshow 2024 The Airshow's dedication to sustainability extends across its operations, evidenced by partnerships with the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, providing a fleet of IONIQ 5 electric vehicles for delegates, and CarbonClick, a New Zealand-based technology firm offering carbon offsetting solutions, enabling attendees to offset their travel emissions in a straightforward and transparent manner. A highlight of the Singapore Airshow remains its impressive array of flying and static display aircraft, with this year featuring both new additions and returning favorites. Making their debut in Singapore are the COMAC C919 and ARJ21 aircraft, the Catic Z-10, as well as Embraer's C390 military transport aircraft and Gulfstream G700. The Indian Air Force's Sarang Helicopter display team & Royal Australian Air Force’s Roulettes showcased their skills for the first time in Singapore, wowing audiences with their precision maneuvers. A staple for every airshow is our very own Republic of Singapore Air Force aerial display, featuring an integrated display with one F-15SG and a AH-64D Apache. Returning to Singapore after a 6 years absence is the Republic of Korea Airforce Black Eagles aerobatic team, which brought joy to many aviation enthusiasts. Commercial aircraft participating in the flying display included the Airbus A350-1000 using sustainable fuels, the COMAC C919 and ARJ21. Flying displays are scheduled for once daily at 12:30pm on February 20th, and at 11:30am on February 21st and 22nd. During Weekend@Airshow (previously called Public Days), they will occur twice daily at 11:30am and 2:30pm on February 24th and 25th. Do note these timings are subjected to changes. The extensive list of exhibitors and aircraft at the Singapore Airshow 2024 guarantees to captivate both aviation professionals and enthusiasts alike! (Photos by Sng Wei Jie & Malcolm Lu)

On February 13, the European Commission (EC) granted its conditional consent to the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. This approval is contingent upon the airlines adhering to specific commitments made in agreement with the EC. Consequently, Korean Air has now secured approval from or completed the evaluation process with 13 out of the 14 regulatory bodies overseeing such business consolidations. Approved/Concluded (13) Türkiye (Feb 2021), Taiwan (May 2021), Thailand (May 2021), The Philippines (May 2021), Malaysia (Sep 2021), Vietnam (Nov 2021), Korea (Feb 2022), Singapore (Feb 2022), Australia (Sep 2022), China (Dec 2022), United Kingdom (Mar 2023), Japan (Jan 2024), European Union (Feb 2024) Pending Approval (1) : United States Korean Air initiated discussions with the EC in January 2021, followed by the formal submission of a merger notification in January 2023. The EC commenced a Phase II evaluation of the merger in February and issued a Statement of Objections in May, expressing competition concerns in both passenger and cargo markets as a result of the merger. To address the competition concerns raised, certain commitments have been proposed, primarily consisting of the divestiture of Asiana Airlines' cargo freighter business, and facilitating the entry of a new airline on the four overlapping passenger routes between Korea and the European Union. These measures aim to sustain a competitive landscape in the relevant markets. For the execution of the cargo commitments, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will need to undertake various actions, including engaging an advisory firm to oversee the divestment process of Asiana Airlines’ cargo freighter business, initiating the bidding process, and selecting a buyer for the cargo business. Approval from the EC of the selected buyer is necessary to finalize the airlines’ merger. Following Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana Airlines, the actual cargo divestment process will proceed. Regarding the passenger commitments, T'way Air has been designated as the “remedy taker” for the specified European passenger routes. Starting from the latter half of this year, T'way Air will gradually commence operations on the four routes: Seoul Incheon-Paris, Seoul Incheon-Rome, Seoul Incheon-Barcelona, and Seoul Incheon-Frankfurt. Korean Air intends to offer comprehensive support to T’way Air. With the approval from the EC secured, Korean Air remains committed to ongoing discussions with the U.S. competition authority to expedite the completion of the overall merger review processes. For more information about Korean Air, please visit www.koreanair.com, Korean Air Newsroom, facebook.com/KoreanAir, instagram.com/KoreanAirworld and Twitter@KoreanAir_KE.

The Singapore Airshow, held every two years, stands as the foremost aerospace and defence exhibition in Asia, serving as a platform for stakeholders to establish crucial partnerships and work together to drive innovation and shape the future of the global aviation industry. Managed by Experia Events Pte Ltd, the Singapore Airshow 2024 is scheduled to occur from February 20 to 25, 2024. With less than two weeks remaining, anticipation and excitement are building as everyone eagerly awaits to see which aircraft will be showcased at this year's event. While no official list is released from Experia Events Pte Ltd at this time, it has been confirmed from relevant sources that the below organisations and aircraft will be on display at the Singapore Airshow 2024, though this list might be subjected to change at any time. Static Display Airbus ACH130 Airbus A330Neo Airbus A400M Airbus H145 (Mock Up) AST Gabriel Aircraft Industries L410 Bell 505 Bombardier Global 6500 Comac C919 Comac ARJ 21 x3 Dassault Falcon 6X Dassault Falcon 2000LX Embraer E195-E2 Embraer C390 (Debut) Embraer Praetor 600 Gulfstream G600 Gulfstream G700 (Debut) HondaJet Shark Aero Shark UL Textron Cessna Citation Latitude Textron Cessna Grand Caravan Textron CJ4 Gen 2 Textron King Air 360 Pilatus PC-24 Catic Z-10 RMAF Sukhoi SU-30MKM RSAF Airbus H225M** RSAF Airbus A330MRTT** RSAF Boeing F-15SG RSAF Boeing CH-47F Chinook RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache USAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III USAF Boeing KC-135 USAF Boeing AH-64E Apache USAF Boeing P-8 Poseidon USAF MQ-9 USAF Lockheed F-35A RTAF Saab Gripen Flying Display Airbus A350-1000 Comac C919 Indian Air Force's Sarang Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter Republic of Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles Royal Australian Air Force’s Roulettes RSAF F-15SG and AH-64D Apache attack helicopter integrated display. USAF B-52 (22nd February Only) Updated: 9th Feb 2024 Do stay tuned as we update this list as more information is released over the coming days. Cheers!

Brazilian multinational aerospace corporation Embraer is set to showcase its defence and security, commercial aviation, business aviation, and urban air mobility solutions during the Singapore Airshow 2024, scheduled from February 20 to 25, 2024. “We are excited to be back at the Singapore Airshow with a great lineup of aircraft that showcase the collective strength of Embraer,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO at Embraer. “Our presence in Asia Pacific is growing and the Airshow provides us a great platform to further interact with the aerospace and defence communities across the region.” Making its debut in Singapore is Embraer's C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical transport aircraft. The aircraft, which has been gaining positive sales momentum, was recently chosen by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Returning to the Singapore Airshow is the E195-E2 commercial jet, acclaimed as the world's most fuel-efficient and quietest single-aisle aircraft. This time, it will be showcase in its latest 'Tech Eagle' livery. Another first in Singapore is the Praetor 600, recognised as the most technologically advanced business jet in its class. Renowned for its exceptional performance and versatility, the Praetor 600 was delivered to South Korea's Flight Inspection Center (FIC) by the end of 2023. Additionally, Eve Air Mobility is set to provide a comprehensive overview of its eVTOL, services, and operational solutions, which include its Urban Air Traffic Management software solution. The showcase will take place at Exhibition Hall C, Booth # C-C87. As part of its global tour, the company will unveil its full-size eVTOL cabin mockup for the first time in the Asia Pacific region. To access additional information and details, be sure to explore Embraer's Press Activities during the Airshow at the times below: Embraer Press Activities at the Show: 20 Feb 2024: Embraer Group Press Briefing (2pm, Function Room 3) 21 Feb 2024: Embraer C-390 Press Briefing (11am, Function Room 3) 20 – 22 Feb 2024, 3.30pm: Aircraft visits for journalists KC390 Image: Embraer DAM (bynder.com)

The Singapore Airshow 2024 is set to be an exciting event with both trade and public days. While specific details about static and aerial display participants are not yet available, the release of the flying display schedule (tentative) adds to the anticipation. Given that the schedule is subject to changes and updates, it's advisable for attendees to stay tuned for any announcements or adjustments closer to the event dates. As the Singapore Airshow is known for featuring a diverse range of aircraft and aerobatic displays, enthusiasts can expect a thrilling lineup. For those attending the trade days from February 20th to 23rd, they'll likely have the opportunity to witness industry professionals showcasing cutting-edge aviation technology and products. On the public days (February 24th to 25th), aviation enthusiasts and the general public can enjoy the spectacle of various aircraft in action. Trade Days 20th Feb, Tuesday: 1230pm-2pm 21st Feb, Wednesday: 1130am-1225pm 22nd Feb, Thursday: 1130am-1225pm 23rd Feb, Friday: None Scheduled Public Days 24th Feb, Saturday: (1) 1130am-1215pm, (2) 230pm-315pm 25th Feb, Sunday: (1) 1130am-1215pm, (2) 230pm-315pm For aviation enthusiasts who are unable to attend the airshow, but still want to catch the flying displays from outside the show grounds, it is possible to see some of the action from Changi Beach Carpark 7. Also, do take note that the new coastal park connectors will also be blocked off on the show dates. Please refer here for more information on road closures and access to the affected areas. As more information becomes available, keep an eye on official announcements and updates from the organizers to ensure you make the most of your experience at the Singapore Airshow 2024. Enjoy the event!

2023 for aviation in Singapore can be described in a single word: Rebound. Throughout 2023, the aviation community in Singapore has seen a massive increase of traffic into Changi and Seletar Airport. With air travel recovery in full swing across the globe, we saw airlines like Garuda Indonesia and Korean Air increased their number of flights to Singapore significantly, allowing aviation spotters to be treated to an array of aircraft types from their fleets, such as the Boeing 747-8 and the Boeing 777-300 from Korean Air. We also saw the appearance of airlines like Air Premia, Sky Angkor Airlines and transNusa, and many others. With travel ramping up for smaller and less popular destinations, we also started to see our local and regional low cost carriers debuting or making their return to places like Sibu and Krabi. This year also saw the appearance of many special liveries here, which was a major treat for many planespotters. Some of the specials that made its appearance were the fabled Lufthansa retro D-ABYT, the Qantas Yam Dreamer and 100 Years special liveries VH-ZND and VH-ZNJ. Additionally, the team had opportunities to snap some rare birds like an ex-Singapore Airlines Airbus A340-500 now operating for LasVegas Sands, an Omega Air Tanker DC-10, etc. Touring military open houses 2023 was also a year of military airshows in the Southeast Asian region, with no less than 3 major airshow events that the team was able to attend. The next section is courtesy of our military aviation writer and web administrator Bryan Wong. RTAF Children's Day Open House 2023 We kicked off 2023 with a visit to Kamphaeng Saen Airport for the annual Royal Thai Air Force Children's Day Open House 2023. This year, the open house was held at Kamphaeng Sean Aviation School instead of the usual Don Mueang RTAF Base. The RTAF exhibited their various assets both in their aerial and static displays. Some of the key assets include the Korean-built FA-50, the F-16B Fighting Falcon and the Northrop F-5. To see more details, check out our Bryan's review of the event: Royal Thai Airforce Children's Day Open House 2023 Langkawi International and Maritime Aerospace Exhibition 2023 Resuming after a hiatus in 2021, the Langkawi International and Maritime Aerospace Exhibition 2023 returned earlier this year. Lima 2023 saw the attendance of around 600 companies from 20 countries, showing off both civilian and military aircraft. Highlights from the event included aircraft such as the Airbus A220 and Embraer E195-E2 being put up on static display. Display teams such as the Republic of Korea Air Force's Black Eagles as well as the Russian Knights participated in the aerial display. We release two articles on the event: LIMA 2023 - Event Summary LIMA 2023: Russian Knights' SU-35S Flanker-M RSAF Open House 2023 The RSAF Open House returned this year after 6 years, this year with the Open House in celebration of the RSAF's 55th anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, the RSAF painted two of their F-15SGs in commemorative tail art. This year, the RSAF Open House featured a unique 'phygital' experience, merging both physical and digital aspects with the introduction of the RSAF55OH Digital Experience Webapp. The open house allowed the public to get up close to various assets of the RSAF. Within the APP Team Within our team, there have been a few significant updates. We have unveiled the "AirTalk" series, where we interview and feature passionate and enthusiastic people in aviation. In contrast to our "People In Aviation" series, these articles focus solely on one person in the entire article. If you are or know anyone working in the aviation industry, feel free to reach out to us for an interview session! We will be more than happy to feature you or your friend in one of our aviation stories series! What's New For 2024? 2024 promises to be an exciting year for plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts alike, with the Singapore Airshow 2024 in the works and planned for 20-25 February, with 24-25 February earmarked as the public dates. While the details of aircraft that will be on show has yet to be confirmed, we can could expect the Boeing 777-9 and the Airbus A321XLR to make an appearance, as well as a whole host of military aircraft like specific variants of the F-15s. Internally, the APP team is also looking into further developing our repertoire in aviation-elated articles, and we have some interesting concepts in the pipeline, so do stay tuned!

___________________________________________________________ For readers who have been earnestly following our People in Aviation series, you would have known that last year, we managed to get an opportunity to interview a Qatar Airways flight attendant, Jee, and her travels onboard the Onyx flag carrier on our 2nd episode. As customary for large Middle-Eastern airlines, their cabin crews hail from different countries, including Thailand. Recently, we managed to get another opportunity to interview one of Jee's co-workers, 26 year old Thai national, Natsupa Chayatharraksa. Natsupa, like her colleague Jee, is an active social media influencer, operating her main Instagram account @ormchaya, and a YouTube channel documenting her life in Doha as a Qatar Airways cabin crew. Like most of the airline crews were have interviewed before, our schedules did not match up and Natsupa had no scheduled long layovers in Singapore, so we had to make do with a virtual interview. _________________________________ Tell us about yourself, and what inspired you to take on this job of a cabin crew member? "Hi everyone, I'm Natsupa, and I'm 26. I have been working as a flight attendant/cabin crew member for two years, one in Thai Vietjet Air and my second year as a Qatar Airways cabin crew. My inspiration to be a cabin crew member came when I was a young girl, when I had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong. Unfortunately I cannot remember which airline it was, but I do remember being so enamored by the charm and grace of a particular cabin crew member (who coincidentally was Thai as well). She looked extremely gorgeous in her outfit and she spoke fluent English and Chinese aside from her native Thai language, and that left a deep and lasting impression on me, and inspired me to be like her one day." We asked her how the experience in training to be a cabin crew was, as this was one aspect we did not cover in previous interviews. Natsupa gave a very candid response (and for future flight attendant hopefuls, do take note!), and went into detail on her experience from both airlines, and their major differences, highlighting the difference between a regional low cost carrier and full-fledged airlines. "Comparing my experiences in both airlines , I found that the way they train the crew are quite different . Thai Vietjet air, in my opinion, was the hardest, partly because it was the very first airline that I joined. Being younger at the time, and with zero flight hours, the training course was challenging, and they are very strict about safety protocols and procedures. But of course, it's a testament to the sheer importance the airlines place in ensuring the safety of our passengers, so far nervous flyers, take heart that all of us (cabin crew) are well trained about safety to the highest degree. Despite the many challenges, the entire process was fun and exhilarating for me and it definitely was worth all the difficultIves when I finally earned my wings as a qualified cabin crew member! When I joined Qatar Airways, it was my very first time working and training in such a big international organization. The people, the environment and the language are so new for me. The day before my first day of training I had butterflies in my stomach because I didn't know how the training there was going to be but when I completed the first day it was such a thrilling experience and I loved the vibes and energy of my fellow trainees! At Qatar Airways, again safety was placed at the utmost importance, and they had this activity called "Recap", where every morning a few of us were called out at random to summarize to the instructor what we had learnt since day 1. Additionally, the service aspect of the training was extremely detailed, and we have to remember everything in order to provide passengers with our 5 star service. For both airlines however, there are common themes in which we train under, including first aid, crew resource management and personal grooming. While most people think crew resource management is a pilots' thing, it is mandatory amongst cabin crew staff as well, as we work together as a team, and especially more so in emergencies or unusual situations, and we train on how to interact with each other in a cohesive team, not just within the cabin crew, but also with the pilots in the flight deck." Of course, we had to ask her what aircraft she has operated on, and Natsupa had a vast array of aircraft she had worked on. At Thai Vietjet, she operated on the Airbus A320 and A321, and at Qatar Airways, she operated on practically their entire modern fleet - the Airbus A320, A330-200 and -300, and the A350-900 and -1000, and on the Boeing 787-8, -9, and the 777-200ER/LR and the -300ER. When asked about her favourite: "My favourite aircraft to fly out of all of them is the Airbus A350-900/1000, as the aircraft was brand new to the fleet at the time. It was spacious, has good climate control and better comfort, and it was one of my absolute favourite to operate on as Qatar Airways use them to fly to a huge variety of destinations, including the country you are from." What destinations have you flown to? And what has been your favourite so far and why? "When I worked with Thai Vietjet I flew only domestic flight in Thailand but in Qatar Airways, we fly to more than 100 destinations all around the world that which brought me to 6 continents and allowed me to travel to many cities across different countries, till sometimes I lose track of where I have visited. But out of the many cities I have visited, perhaps my personal favourite and also most memorable destination is Namibia, which is famous for its safaris and exotic deserts. One of my fellow crew members in Qatar Airways recommended me to get there if I ever get the chance, and looking at photographs taken by other crew members, it went to the top of my bucket list. You can imagine my joy and excitement when Qatar Airways rostered me on a trip to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia! There, I got a chance to see real animals in front of me in their way of life and also visited the desert that was very exotic and amazing, If I was not a Qatar Airways crew, I could not have checked this bucket list for sure." Next we moved on to the schedules of cabin crew members, who work tirelessly through the gruelling shifts and long hours to ensure our comfort in the aircraft we fly in. I asked Natsupa to describe how her work schedules generally revolves around from the start till the end of the trip. "Before every trip, I always make sure that I have these 5 items with me in my suitcase: my phone (we joked about that no one travels without their phone these days...text, instagramming, photo-taking and calling has become too mainstream for us now), passport, mandatory documents including first aid certificates, credit cards and of course my lipstick for touch-ups to my make up. The routines at Thai Vietjet and Qatar Airways are very similar, so I'm mainly going to talk about both in parallel. Normally the first thing we do is to enter the local office to sign-in your attendance for the shift, and conduct the pre-flight briefing together with the other members of the cabin crew for the flight. This also includes the checking of all mandatory documents, reviewing of all safety procedures, first aid knowledge and all note-worthy service items for the flight. Once we boarded to the aircraft, but before the passengers board, we have to do a pre-flight and security check to ensure that the aircraft and equipment are ready to use in each flight and prepare service equipment to be ready to use after take off for example count the number of meals or prepare the service carts. Then of course comes the boarding process, which is pretty standard across many airlines, and we make sure that all passengers have their seatbelts fastened prior to take off. After take-off, is where the procedures for Qatar Airways and Thai Vietjet differ slightly. For Thai Vietjet, being a low cost airline flying mainly short-haul flight, our main service is selling food, beverages and merchandise onboard. For Qatar Airways, there are first, business and economy class, and each of them have different service standards we adhere to, as well as different meal types, portions and detail we have to take note of, but all of which ensure that we deliver a world-class rate service worthy of a 5-star airline like Qatar Airways." After landing, We have to do a security search after all passengers disembark to ensure that there is no any foreign object or left behind item in the cabin and prepare the cabin to be ready for the next flight." We next invited Natsupa to share her thoughts on the differences between working in a regional carrier like Thai Vietjet and Qatar Airways. As someone who had his share of changing jobs within the same industry, this question hits home personally, as I experienced such a different work style and dynamics, with new challenges and learning opportunities. Likewise, Natsupa had the same sentiment: "Definitely different, when I worked with Thai Vietjet, which is a Thai airline, my colleagues as well as a majority of my customers are Thai, and hence we speak and work under the same culture and language. This is a stark contrast to working in Qatar Airways, there are many crew and passengers hailing from other countries, bringing with them their own individual cultures and languages, which is definitely more challenging. However, through this, I learnt how to adapt myself to this new dynamic environment in an international organization especially when I was only Thai on a particular flight. Working in Qatar Airways made me grow up and mature professionally, and I have come to learn a very broad array of soft skills and people skills, which are always very important in any workplace. Prior to becoming a cabin crew member, my dream was mainly just to join Thai Vietjet, and even though I did fulfil my dream in the end and thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in Thai Vietjet, I decided to look beyond the horizons to see the bigger world out there and gain more experiences, which I could not attain working in a regional low cost carrier. Hence I put myelf up to the challenge of applying to Qatar Airways, and I was lucky enough to be able to join their world class theme. Looking back, I never once regretted my decision to move to Qatar Airways, and I would not have come this far without all the experience I have gained." As we closed off our discussion, we talked about Natsupa's personal hobbies outside her work as a cabin crew. "I am a food lover and I love cooking, a skill that was very useful to me when I was living in Doha, allowing me to occasionally enjoy the tastes of home by cooking my favourite Thai cuisines. But sometimes I also like to search for any interesting restaurant or cafe to try something new. When I worked with Qatar Airways, it was a good chance for me to try the local cuisines or recommended cafes during my layovers which I really enjoyed. Moreover, I'm also a keen photographer, of course not as good as other, but I always carry a tripod with me in every layover so even if I have to travel alone, I can always take picture of myself on my travels." And with that we conclude our 3rd episode of AirTalk! It was an amazing experience to have interviewed Natsupa on her life in both Thai VietJet and Qatar Airways, and on the behalf of Planes Portrait Aviation Media, we wish her the best in her career in the skies and many safe flights to come! ____________________________________________

This article is posted with credits to the Singapore Airshow Media Team and Experia Events for providing the details to us. In less than 3 months time, the long anticipated Singapore Airshow will once again be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre from 20 - 25 February 2024. After 4 years of being downscaled due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Experia team is ready to launch the 9th edition of the largest, asian based aerospace and defence exhibition in full force. With more than a thousand participating companies from over 50 countries, the airshow boosts some of the largest aviation giants like Airbus, Boeing, General Electric Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Thales and Lockheed Martin. In anticipation for the upcoming event, here is a summary look at what everyone could expect at the Singapore Airshow 2024. The Theme of Sustainability In line with increasing dire climate change situation that the world is facing, the Singapore Airshow 2024 has partnered with McKinsey & Company to launch the Sustainable Aviation Forum, as part of its AeroForum series. In this forum, aviation and industry experts share their thoughts and take a deep dive analysis on regulations, research and development, innovations and other important topics in the sustainable aviation sector, including the prospects of decarbonising the industry and the introduction of SAFs or sustainable aviation fuels. The airshow is collaborating with CarbonClick, a leading carbon offsetting platform to enable attendees to offset the carbon emissions associated with their travel (via the purchase of carbon credits), which supports certified climate projects across Asia. Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia, organiser of Singapore Airshow 2024, had this to share about the direction that the airshow will be taking in 2024, hinting that the direction that the future airshow will pivot towards: "As we prepare to bring together the global aerospace and defence community at Singapore Airshow 2024 once again, we are excited to provide a platform where innovation, collaboration, and resilience converge. The challenges faced by the industry have only strengthened our determination to drive positive change. With the participation of esteemed exhibitors, partners, and industry leaders, we are confident that Singapore Airshow 2024 will catalyse critical discussions, foster strategic alliances, and inspire ideas that will shape the future of aviation. Once again, the aerospace and defence ecosystem will soar to new heights and chart a path towards a stronger, more sustainable aerospace and defence industry." Newcomers Countries and Companies For the first time, the airshow will play host to country-specific pavilions from China, Czech Republic, Japan and South Korea, alongside long-standing partner countries like the United States, Australia, France and the United Kingdom. In addition, the airshow will feature new participants like JetZero and Panasonic Avionics which will showcase the latest developments in aerodynamic designs and in-flight passenger experience. The Singapore Airshow also will continue serving as the frontline for upcoming companies and future leaders in the aviation industry to showcase their talents and innovations in their signature collaboration with Starburst in “What’s Next@Singapore Airshow”. Visitors to the airshow can look forward to the latest developments and innovations in various sub-sectors of the aviation industry including air traffic control management, digitalisation and defence from 30 various start-up companies. In return, the airshow provides a platform for these startups to receive much needed support for investment and growth opportunities to boost their business footprint in this challenging and competitive industry, which will provide fresh inputs and ideas into the progression of the aerospace industry. The Long-Awaited Public Day With full clearance to allow the public to view the airshow, Experia has launched a series of new perks for the public days on 24 - 25 February, now rechristened “Weekend@Airshow”. At the forefront of it are the lion-themed mascots Captain Leo and Leonette. Alongside the chance to see the aerial static displays of aircraft, members of the public are eligible to redeem discounts and rewards under the AeroPerks programme for an array of dining and entertainment activities. With such a massive array of events, showcases and companies, trade visitors and members of the public have much to anticipate in their 9th iteration of the Singapore Airshow, which promises to be one of the highlight events of 2024 in the Asia-Pacific region. For more information on the airshow, visit: www.singaporeairshow.com For more information on Experia, visit: http://www.experiaevents.com For more information on the AeroPerks initiative, visit: www.singaporeairshow.com/aeroperks

It has been a while since we did a planespotters' feature, due to piling workload and doing research for future articles. But with the end of the year coming up, I thought I would once again do a planespotters' feature. While we have covered many regional planespotters, mainly from Singapore (and a lovely couple from Belgium), the world is far bigger than the shores of the Little Red Dot, and I decided to look at Japan. Being blessed with numerous airports, including major hubs like Kansai and Narita, Japan boosts a vibrant community of planespotters hailing from every corner of the country, whom frequently grace Instagram with numerous spectacular shots of the commercial and military traffic moving in and out of the many Japanese airports across the island chain. Just like how Planes Portrait Aviation Media is one of the major aviation communities here sharing images and aviation news in Singapore, Hikouki Club is one of the major aviation community sites that frequently shares photos of aircraft snapped in Japan. Recently, we got a chance to speak to their co-admin, Eiko Izu, one of the more notable planespotters in Japan. Self-introduction Hello, you are...? I'm Eiko, I'm a systems engineer at a trading company. I'm a bit shy about revealing about my age, so I shall keep it a secret! Share some facts about yourself! Well, not many people know this, but I drive a red MX5 with a 747 number plate! Gives a big hint away at what aircraft is my favourite! When did you begin spotting? I began spotting in 2018! What motivates you to spot? What keeps you interested in planespotting? I love traveling and going to different airports and locations to do aviation photography. Often at each location, I can get different chances at snapping different kinds of aircraft, liveries, angles and lightings. And as an artist at heart, I love creating work out of the different locations that people will love and remember. Gear Talk What gear (camera + lens) do you use I use a variety of camera bodies and lens. I'm a fan of Nikon, and so both of my camera bodies are Nikon bodies, namely the Z9 and the D850. And of course, like any loyal Nikon user, I have my kit of Nikon lens: AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Comment from the writer: I must say, that is one real impressive array of lenses you have! What photo editing tools do you use? Mainly I use Adobe Lightroom Classic to edit my photos; its a good combination of modern updates and AI incorporated together to maximize the editing function available to every photographer. But of course, it is very important not to over-edit your photos, something which I take great care to ensure that my edited photos retain the same vibe as the original! Airport and spotting location I'm based in Fukuoka, so I do a lot of my spotting here at Fukuoka Airport. However, I have visited numerous airports across Japan, Love for Airplanes What is your favourite aircraft? It is without a doubt, the Queen of the Skies herself, the Boeing 747! She is the epitome of beauty and elegance, and everywhere she flies, she turns heads whereever she goes. In fact, my love of the Queen of the Skies is much that the number plate on my bike contains the number "747" in it! What is your favourite airline and livery? For me, it is Thai Airways! They have such an iconic purple and gold livery that it is striking everytime you see it, often setting it apart from many of the other airline liveries out there! Which of course makes the livery on HS-TGW my personal favourite livery, combining the Thai Airways logo with the unique giant lettering "STAR ALLIANCE" on its white fuselage and black tail. In fact, one shot I got of her at Haneda Airport on a wintery sunrise makes it by far my most proudest shot so far! Aside from that, some of my personal favourite liveries are that of the Japan Air Force One Boeing 747 20-1101 and 20-1102. Being a native Japanese, seeing the giant aircraft bearing the iconic Hinomaru is definitely something feel tremendously patriotic about. Probably my favourite shot of it is of one of the 747s parked at Chitose Airport on a beautiful sunset. Another special aircraft and livery that I loved was EI-XLD Rossiya Airlines Boeing 747-400 with the "Caring for Tigers Together" livery, which I managed to snap by chance at Phuket, Thailand a few years ago. To Round Off... What tips would you give to aspiring spotters? My personal tip is to shoot a lot. You'll get a lot of chances at catching the perfect shot, and you'll never know which one of them will be the magic shot you wanted! Know a spotter you would like us to do a feature? Drop a comment below stating the person's name and social media account name! In the meantime, keep flying high and have a great November!

Disclaimer warning: this article is not 100% related to aviation. Over the past three and a half years of spotting, I have had the privilege of meeting many talented plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts from all walks of life. More often than not, the vibrant Singapore aviation enthusiasts community is abuzz with discussions on quite a few topics, camera types, career/education choices, Instagram, and so on, and many a times these have lead to very passionate and lively discussions on many fronts. Being someone whom what most people call a by-stander to these discussions, I hope to inject some food for thought for you guys, and to provide some opinions (from my perspective) about these topics. First of all - the long standing discussion about what types of cameras to use. Too many a times I have heard passionate and sometimes argumentative discussions about which lens or camera body is better. For myself, what lens or what camera to get, should be based on (a) what is comfortable with you, or what can you comfortably challenge yourself with, and (b) it should be within your budget limitations. Getting the right camera or lens is not just about what is better in terms of specifications, but also knowing the requirements and ability of oneself to harness the potential of the camera. To quote Tom Cruise's character Pete Mitchell inTop Gun: Maverick, "it's not the plane; it's the pilot", likewise, the camera gear is only as good as the photographer behind the lens, and his/her editing prowess. For myself, my gear setup, as featured in a previous article, is a non-traditional set-up for plane spotters, and definitely on the lower end of the costing ladder. But this camera has proven itself time and time again in catching the magical moments of aviation. Even with the underrated kit lens, it was a major asset to capturing some of best shots during the Singapore Air Show 2022. In addition, know what you can buy based on your means to afford it. I would highly discourage breaking the bank just to get the latest camera in the market, because money is not something that comes by easily, even if one has parental sponsorship. As a working adult with 4-and-a-half years of work experience (definitely not a long one, but enough to share some tips), the journey from school to work, and then navigating the nuances of work life, is by no means an easy one. From my observations, many young spotters are planning to push into aerospace or aviation-related industries, and then to find out that several of then struggle through mathematics and physics intensive courses. From this, I would like to share a word of guidance and advice - know your strengths and weaknesses, know that even if there is a course that you like, there will always be aspects you would hate. At this juncture, let me share about my own experiences. For those who know me well, I do not work in the aviation industry, nor did I come from an aviation related course of study. Rather, I did chemical engineering, which does offer some parallel subjects to aerospace like fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, but thats where the similarities stop. But here's a food for thought when you choose your courses: (a) is this a course that I am interested in? (b) can the career opportunities stemming from this course be able to provide and sustain my lifestyle? (c) what is my capability, am I able to manage the coursework? These are some of the questions that I think about when choosing my preferred course in university. In fact, it is through these questions that I ended up taking a second major in food science, which indirectly led me to my current job in research and development process engineer role in a major pharmaceutical company. Many have asked me, why didn't I plan to push into the aviation industry? Well in fact, I have done before. When I was job hunting prior to my graduation. I flirted with the idea of becoming a pilot, but realistically, it would mean putting to waste my current degree, not to mention that it would put me in long durations away from my then partner (now wife). And of course by sheer luck, I spared myself the agony of finding another job when the pandemic hit which left many pilot trainees out of a job or in the lurch with job insecurities. Additionally, I applied for an air traffic control role, and went for the interview process. While I cannot say for sure if I did well during the interview process, but one of the interviewers commented that I already was doing relatively well in my current field of study, and did quite well for my own internship, and asked why the sudden decision to go for this role, a question to which I myself did not really had a proper answer for other than "I like aviation", which gave me a reminder that your career choices is not merely just about passion. In my opinion, passion can only bring you so far; understanding the complexities of navigating work relationships, work and people management are equally as important, along with resilience at handling setbacks and failures, all of which not having it can easily kill one's passion at the workplace. Therefore, knowing yourself, your capabilities and having strong interpersonal skills is I feel something far more important than simply having the passion for it; after all, your future bosses will be far likely to hire someone with good interpersonal skills and work ethics than someone who is simply "into aviation". However, if you are able to amalgamate these traits together, then by all means go ahead, with the best of luck for the interview and hiring process! Finally, the elephant in the room - Instagram. It has been both our love and bane for many planespotters out there. Recently, Instagram pulled out a few changes to their algorithm on how posts are filtered, which undoubtedly left many people suddenly struggling to attain a decent reach and interactions for their posts and photos, and swinging the priority in favour for reels. Many, including yours truly, have lamented about how some of our posts, which we have placed so much effort into editing, fail to perform when it is released. But I think, it is important to remember to not place value or self-worth on hour popular our posts or account is on social media. Plus, with so much going on in our lives, it is going to be exhausting long term to be fretting about our success at social media (unless you are those influencers who earn money through their content). Hence that is why I generally do not entertain "follow for follows, like for likes" movement; you follow what you admire, you like what you see beauty in. Indeed, I personal take is that a lot of people get caught up in the chase to be first, be it Instagram, JetPhotos, etc., and sometime breaking the rules in the process. Especially for spotting in Singapore, it poses a serious risk for future spotting as locally we strike a balance with the law, treading the line to make sure we don't break it. Back to the topic of social media posting, Additionally, something I would like to address is the social etiquette on social media. As someone who has gone through the rigours of communicative writing and thesis developments, I cannot hardly stress the importance of research and critiques of one's work. Writing and publishing work online, be it a post, an article, a research paper, etc., opens you up to being critiqued by others, and being defensive and unreceptive to constructive comments reflects poorly on the writer. No matter how good a writer is, there will always be errors and deficiencies in one's work, and hence often you'll see published works get put through revisions and edits even after publishing it. Likewise, my line of articles on Planes Portrait Aviation Media is by far no stranger to corrections and updates; its all part and parcel of writing, in which I call the circle of writing: research, write, correct, publish, revise, repeat. And above all, I cannot stress the importance of making sure that your core work is researched as thoroughly as possible before publishing; there is a saying within universities, and a rule of thumb for writing research papers: "if not verifiable, don't put it in". Likewise, the importance of proper and thorough research is paramount to any published works, and it does again reflect poorly on the writer's diligence, and hence why I take my research in every article I publish with utmost seriousness. I hope this short sharing article is something useful to you all in terms of spotting, writing, or in your life in general. Remember, none of us are perfect, and my experiences here come from years of mistakes and learning, and hence why I share them here, so that you readers won't make the same mistakes as I did in the past.

Yesterday, what was supposed to be a relatively run-off-the-mill mundane Thursday evening at Changi Airport played out into a dramatic moment as a Scoot Boeing 787-9 made an emergency landing on Runway 02R whilst being escorted by fighter jets. What happened? From the pieces of information that we know, another bomb threat was made on Scoot Flight TR16, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight from Singapore to Perth, Australia. Readers might recall this mirrored a similar incident just a year ago, when a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 had to make an emergency landing at Changi due to a bomb threat onboard. The aircraft, registered 9V-OJF, took off from Singapore's Changi Airport at 4.11pm local time as TR16, before making a slight left turn to head southward on a 150 degrees heading. According to FlightRadar24, as TR16 was approaching the Bangka Islands, the aircraft slowed before making a 180-degree turn back towards Changi. According to news outlets, a bomb threat allegedly made by a 30-year Australian man prompted the flight crew to make the prudent decision to turn back to Singapore. After passing the Lingga Islands, the pilots turned northward towards the South China Sea, where there were placed in a series of holding patterns which lasted for approximately an hour. During this time, a pair of RSAF F-15SGs rendezvous with the aircraft and prepared for an armed escort back to the safety of Changi Airport. At 6.00pm local time, TR16 was vectored out of its holding pattern and placed on a final approach sequence into Changi. While the aircraft was making its approach into Changi, dozens of aircraft arriving for the evening rush hour return were placed on hold at south of Tuas and the South China Sea, resulting in a massive backlog of the aircraft that would not be cleared for a few hours. Finally, at 6.25pm, TR16 landed on Runway 02R. In-flight videos and amateur videos shot from the threshold of Runway 02R showed the F-15s escorting the beleaguered aircraft all the way to the runway. After turning out on the A5 intersection to Taxiway Alpha, like in SQ3, TR16 taxied to the end of Alpha, before turning onto a holding area via B11. There, airport police and security met the aircraft and apprehended the instigator of the mid-air crisis. Subsequently , other passengers were disembarked, and the aircraft was taxied back to the airport terminal 2 hours and 30 minutes later. The Singapore Police Force has opened an official investigation into the incident. Updates will be provided through this article on any further updates to this incident.

Airline: Singapore Airlines Flight: SQ728 Route: Singapore (SIN) – Phuket (HKT) Aircraft: Boeing 737-8SA Registration: 9V-MGL Class of Travel: Economy Seat Number: 53K Recently, I successfully passed out from Basic Military Training, which, I must admit, proved to be a strenuous and challenging four-month endeavour. Consequently, during my one-week block leave last week, I made the deliberate choice to embark on a short vacation to Phuket, Thailand, to rejuvenate myself before resuming my training commitments. After careful contemplation of various travel options available to me, I ultimately made a reservation for a one-way flight to Phuket aboard a Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-800. My decision was motivated by a desire to experience Singapore Airlines’ smaller Boeing aircraft, as I had not had the opportunity to do so before and was eager to give it a try. I have also made arrangements for my return journey, which will be abord Scoot’s Airbus A321NEO. However, I intent to reserve my flight review of that flight for future travel experience. Flying through Changi Airport Terminal 2 In tandem with the reopening of the recently refurbished Terminal 2, Singapore Airlines has chosen to relocate its flights to Southeast Asian destinations from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. This decision was prompted by the extensive upgrades that Terminal 2 underwent, a project initiated in May 2020, owing to the sharp decline in air travel demand brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of reopening Terminal 2 has been executed progressively, commencing in May 2022. For passenger check-in at Terminal 2, Singapore Airlines has designated Rows 7, 8, and 9. Much like Terminal 3, travellers are strongly encouraged to utilise the self-service check-in kiosks for a swift and efficient travel experience. It is worth noting that, as of the present moment, Singapore Airlines exclusively operates flights to destinations within Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka from Terminal 2. Currently, only the southern wing of Terminal 2 is accessible, yet it provides a diverse range of dining and retail options, both in the public and transit areas. In contrast to my previous visit on Firefly’s inaugural flight to Terminal 2, a mere five months ago, the terminal exhibited a somewhat lacklustre ambience. Only a limited number of shops had resumed operations and navigating through Terminal 2 was a subdued experience. However, within this short span of five months, the newly renovated Terminal 2 has undergone remarkable transformation, exuding a significantly more vibrant atmosphere. Terminal 2 now offers an extensive array of shopping options for travellers, encompassing duty-free outlets, dining establishments, and luxury boutiques. Although some sections remains temporarily closed for ongoing renovation projects, Terminal 2 has unmistakably evolved into a more lively, contemporary, and inviting environment for travellers passing through Changi Airport. Flying onboard Singapore Airline’s baby Boeing After the merger between Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, Singapore Airlines integrated SilkAir’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft into their fleet and proceeded to refurbish the cabin with updated seating. Presently, Singapore Airlines operates a total of seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft, out of the thirteen that were transferred from SilkAir. The Boeing 737-800 in Singapore Airlines’ fleet is configured with 12 Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, featuring a 2-2 configuration in Business Class and the standard 3-3 configuration in Economy Class. The aircraft taking me to Phuket today is an 8-year-old Boeing 737-800 with the registration 9V-MGL. Remarkably, Singapore Airlines retained the original SilkAir registration when they took over this aircraft in March 2021. A quick observation reveals that Singapore Airlines has adopted a standardised colour them across both their widebody and narrowbody aircraft fleets. In the Economy Class cabin of SIA’s 737-800, one can discern the airline’s distinctive blue and grey colour scheme. The most conspicuous divergence between SIA’s 737-800 Economy Class and other Economy products is the absence of personal inflight entertainment screens. Remarkably, this mirrors the seating arrangements that was previously characteristic of SilkAir, albeit with new upholstery. Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 Economy Class seats offer a relatively snug 30-inch seat pitch and a 117-inch seat width. The configuration may impart a somewhat confined sensation, especially for those accustomed to the roomier conditions found on their widebody aircraft such as the A350, which provides 32-inch legroom. Additionally, SIA’s 737-800 is equipped with Boeing’s Sky Interior, featuring LED mood lighting and larger overhead bins for increased storage capacity. As we prepared for departure, the cabin crew lowered the communal overhead screen to present the safety video. Throughout the flight, this communal screen continued to be utilised, displaying a selection of movies for passengers to enjoy. Meal Service As this flight was relatively short, the cabin crew promptly initiated the meal service shortly after take-off. The menu presented a choice between Chicken Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes and Seafood Tom Yum Vermicelli. Opting for the latter, as it appeared more appeal, I made my selection. The meal was accompanied by a bread roll and butter, as well as a Magnum chocolate ice cream. For beverages, I adhered to my customary preference for apple juice, and when travelling with Singapore Airlines, I highly recommend trying their signature Singapore Sling too. The Seafood Tom Yum Vermicelli delivered a delightful blend of spiciness and tanginess, boasting an array of vibrant flavours. Furthermore, it featured a respectable quantity of shrimp and seafood. While the vermicelli on the side of the box had a slightly overcooked texture, it resembled chaota beehoon, which was not altogether disagreeable. In sum, it constituted a satisfying meal and, in my opinion, ranks among the superior culinary choices offered by Singapore Airlines. I also wish to commend the cabin crew for their patience and attentiveness to passenger requests, a noteworthy aspect of their service even on this abbreviated flight. Overall Experience Prior to this, my most recent experience with Singapore Airlines took place just a year ago when I travelled to Bangkok aboard their Airbus A350. In terms of service, I noticed that the cabin crew exhibited a high level of patience and attentiveness to passenger’s requests and needs, even though this flight was shorter in duration than my trip to Bangkok. The cabin crew members were notably friendly, and the quality of the meal served was excellent. However, it is worth noting that the overall experience closely resembled that of flying with SilkAir. Given that I only paid $150 for a 1.5-hour flight, I would consider this to be a reasonably priced journey. I will contemplate selecting Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 for future flights if the pricing aligns with my budget and requirements. Inflight Service | 9/10 Inflight Entertainment | 6/10 Meal Service | 8/10 Seat | 7/10 Aircraft Cleanliness | 7/10