...as Singapore fights back

Following our piece yesterday on Reed's plans to re-launch Asian Aerospace somewhere else in Asia, we see that the PR tempo is increasing rapidly. TTG Asia reports in its daily newsletter that Jimmy Lau, Reed's former Singapore boss, who has emerged at the head of the group that ousted Asian Aerospace, is claiming some initial and important sign-ups for the new 2008 Changi International Air Show.

The report names a number of big names including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAe and Northrop-Grumman. It says that a Defence Expo will also be launched alongside the Air Show. This was, we gather, announced during ground-breaking for the new exhibition centre at Changi.

Just as Singapore is contemplating what to do with all the space at the nearby Singapore Expo venue and inviting tenders for substantial new exhibition & convention space at the proposed Integrated Resort ("don't call me a casino") project, Lau also announced that the new Air Show venue - unlike its predecessor - would be seeking other exhibition business such as construction shows.

There will be more to come on this, you can be sure...