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FIDAE 2004 -- 85 Percent Sold Out
FIDAE 2004, Latin America's only broad-based aerospace trade
exhibition, will become a showcase for industry from the whole
region under the direction of CEO Alonso Lefno.
"Our goal is to bring to FIDAE all of the aeronautical and
aerospace companies in Latin America," Lefno told Show News.
"I have talked to many new companies, and many have said
they will exhibit." The show, to be held in Santiago, Chile,
from March 29 to April 4, 2004, could become a showcase for the
region's capabilities -- not just Chile's-as well as a 'mustn't
miss' destination for the world's commercial and defense aerospace
marketers.
FIDAE (the Spanish acronym for International Air & Space Fair),
is already 85% sold out, and Lefno is here at Paris (Hall 4, Booth
C10) to sell the rest.
Although run by the Chilean air force (FACh) and held at its base
of Los Cerrillos outside Santiago, FIDAE aims for a 50-50 mix
of civil aviation and defense. It also incorporates space, and
airport flight, ground and security equipment.
A major draw will be the opportunity to equip and support the
FACh's first squadron of F-16s now that Lockheed Martin and Chile
have finally signed the $660 million deal for 10 aircraft. Israeli,
Russian, South African and European companies are vying to provide
weapons, missiles, avionics and targeting systems that the U.S.
is reluctant to introduce into the region, not only for the F-16s
but across the board. And U.S. companies will be there to fight
off the competition on the products they can sell, for air, land
and sea.
"Russia will have a huge presence at the show, as will Israel,"
Lefno said, using it as a springboard into the rest of the subcontinent.
Lefno's team has also been working on attendance. "We are
inviting all the ministers and chiefs of staff from the region,"
while a strategic IATA conference on the future of air transport
will bring CEOs and top executives of airlines throughout South
and Central America.
Magnets for the show include:
- Chile's decision to invest $100 million in a second runway
and infrastructure at Santiago's international airport, and to
construct three new airports-two north of the capital, and one
in the south of the country;
- A Chilean military and parapublic requirement for up to 40
light helicopters. Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter
are competing fiercely for the business;
- The preparatory committee meetings for the United Nations'
V Space Conference of the Americas on peaceful uses for space;
- A one-day international conference on training and simulation.
Aviation Week & Space Technology and Aviation Week
Show News are official publications for the show.
By John Morris
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