AVALON2017 sees record attendance
The Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition Airshow (AVALON 2017) - held at Avalon Airport, Geelong Australia, 28 February to 5 March - has delivered a record crowd, with total attendances over the six days of 210,664, breaking the previous record set in 2001 by more than 9,000.
Courtesy AVALON
Total public day attendances were 176,742 and the industry only trade days had 33,922 attendances, again a record.
Airshow CEO Ian Honnery said total crowd numbers were up more than 20% on the 2015 event: "There were many factors that contributed to this outstanding result.
"We were blessed with perfect weather and had a great array of aircraft including the Joint Strike Fighter which was making its Australian debut.
"I thank our patrons, exhibitors and stakeholders for contributing to this brilliant outcome."
The Airshow's associated trade show, the Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, was also highly successful.
It attracted a record 664 participating exhibitor companies from Australia and 25 overseas countries. Companies exhibiting at the event were exposed to more than $24-billion worth of business opportunities.
The event also attracted 158 Australian and foreign delegations: 79 domestic and 79 international (from 45 countries).
Mr Honnery said: "We have established ourselves as the premier aviation, aerospace and defence trade event in Australia and the Asia Indo-Pacific region. As such we have become an important driver of Australia's aerospace and defence sector.
"We provide a shop window for local technology innovators and as such we bring the world to Australia and take Australia to the world.".
Mr Honnery also thanked the Airshow major stakeholders: "The support of the Royal Australian Air Force, the State Government of Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong is vital to our ongoing success. They play a key role and without them the Airshow would not exist."
Total aircraft attendances were 634 of which 328 were participating aircraft on display. There were 108 military aircraft taking part from eight nations. Of these 61 were from the Royal Australian Air Force and 12 from the United States Air Force.
Mr Honnery said: "The RAAF brought a record number of aircraft to this Airshow. We are also appreciative of the involvement of the United States Air Force which has been a long time supporters of ours."