AsBAA Q&A Interview With Dato’ Hasan Azhari

Earlier this year, AsBAA celebrated the launch of the Selangor Aviation Show 2021 in Kuala Lumpur on 22 March 2021. Invest Selangor Berhad with its dedicated aerspace division S-DAICO, launched the state's latest initiative, the Selangor Aviation Show (SAS) 2021. Themed "Selangor, the ASEAN Business & General Aviation Hub", SAS 2021 is a networking exposition designed as a catalyst for all relevant stakeholders to dialogue, share knowledge and offerings poised to revitalize the industry in the post-Covid-19 environment. 

AsBAA is one of the official supporting partners for SAS 2021. The Association's role is to connect SAS 2021 with our members to facilitate their static aircraft displays, exhibitions, and to promote the industry for greater marketing mileage. We recently spoke with Dato' Hasan Azhari, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Selangro Berhad.

1. It’s fascinating to know that the state government is organising an aviation show for the first time. Would you mind sharing the objectives of SAS 2021? 

Yes, it is the first time for any states in Malaysia to organise an aviation show in Malaysia. We decided to organise the Selangor Aviation Show 2021, with the main objective of becoming the regional networking event dedicated for the business and general aviation segment of the industry.  We are excited to see that the Selangor Aviation Show 2021 will play a pivotal role in bridging the link between the industry players and its partners domestically and regionally, and subsequently making Selangor as the ASEAN business and general aviation hub. 

SAS’21 will also be showcasing the Drone/ UAV elements, as this is another new addition to the Show.

2. What are the main attractions or magnets that the industry players in the region should pay attention to for SAS 2021 to not miss exhibiting and participating in this aviation show? 

The star attraction of Selangor Aviation Show would be the static displays where there will be a variety of aircrafts on display.  We will have a range of 13 aircrafts including helicopters, light aircrafts, business jets and sea plane. In addition, we are also organising industry-specific forum and panel discussions on topics ranging from Safety, Security, Sustainability, Aviation Policies and Regulations, Aviation Finance, Technology and Engineering, and some special interest topics like Experimental Aircrafts and Drones.  These industry sharing sessions will mainly be conducted by key exhibitors of SAS 2021 as well as our strategic event partners.

3. Can you share with us some of the key players that are exhibiting so far? 

SAS 2021 is a Selangor State’s event with strategic collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade and Industries and National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (NAICO).  SAS 2021 also will feature few key players such as; Systematic Aviation Services Sdn Bhd, EMBRAER, ATS Turbine Services Sdn Bhd, and AERODYNE Group.

We will have 13 static displays and 36 booths with prominent names, namely Dassault Aviation, Galaxy Aerospace, SIRIM, Pen Aviation, Bollore Logistic, Destini Avia Technique, Dviation and many more. 

Among the ten agencies that have agreed to be SAS 2021 supporting partner include the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA), Women In Aviation Asia (WiAA), Malaysia UAV Drone Activist Society (MUDAS), Malaysian Autonomous Intelligence and Robotics Association (MyAIRA) and Technological Association Malaysia (TAM).

4. Is this going to be an annual event like ABACE in Shanghai, or what is your plan to bring this event ahead in the future? 

We are hoping to make SAS an annual aviation event that the industry players look forward to joining, however, we will assess the potential of the show once we conclude the first edition this November.  From the initial feedback that we receive from our discussions within the industry, this show is something the industry will support, and will benefit the whole supply chain of the BAGA segment especially within ASEAN region, tremendously.  

We understand the difficulties organising this show in 2021, with the current pandemic situation globally, but we are optimistic that moving forward, SAS will become an annual show that the industry players will tour and do business from.

5. Why is there a focus on Business and General Aviation at SAS2021?

In the past, most governmental efforts and investments to promote the aviation industry have focused on airlines, airports and aerospace manufacturing. However, several years ago, we noticed that Business and General Aviation offer significant potential for growth in Malaysia and the region.  

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Businesses and General Aviation have proven themselves more resilient than commercial airlines. So, we believe it is the right time for us to focus on these segments of the aviation industry.

6. The pandemic has led to many people considering private transportation, and that looks like it is set to continue for a while. What role can Subang play in facilitating this? 

Subang Skypark Terminal or its official name, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, has had a relatively mature business activities for aviation industry for some years and has continued to play its role during the pandemic. Some facilities and procedures allow private or business aviation travellers peace of mind in flying while having minimal contact with potential contagion risks – people and/or touchpoints.

From the entry point until the traveller boards the aircraft, the check-in and check-out processes are greatly shortened and isolated, avoiding large crowds and queueing, therefore enabling wider social distancing to occur. I can see that business and general aviation sectors will be playing their role in complementing the airlines’ sectors during and after the pandemic, and Subang stands to gain a lot if we can prepare ourselves for it.

7. AsBAA is very honoured to support this event, what is your key message here to all of the AsBAA members for SAS 2021?   

We would like to thank AsBAA for agreeing to come onboard and support our inaugural event.  We would like to also invite AsBAA members to visit Selangor Aviation Show 2021, which will be organised from 25 – 27 Nov 2021, at SkyPark RAC Subang, Selangor, Malaysia.  

For AsBAA members from the region who wish to come into Malaysia to visit the show, Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) offers a special fast track entry process for Business Traveller.  More information on this is at their website; www.safetravel.mida.gov.my.  

8. What’s your vision for SAS in the future? How can AsBAA support SAS further in the long term? 

Obviously for it to be recognised as the regional BAGA event, Selangor Aviation Show will need to work continuously with all industry players, including AsBAA to ensure the direction of the industry and the event are aligned.  This aviation show is organised to help provide the required platform for the industry to network, and do business, therefore it its prudent for it to be able to rally the support from organisations and industry associations.

We do hope that Invest Selangor and AsBAA will be able to have a long and fruitful relations, for our mutual benefits.