2011 G-Global Aviation in Ansan Concludes

– Total of 438,000 spectators, 30,000 more than last year –
– Air shows and experience programs for everyone –
– Future aviation visions through Business Day and industrial exhibitions –

2011 G-Global Aviation in Ansan was a great success.

Gyeonggi Province announced on May 10th that the number of visitors increased 10% from last year’s 400,000 to 430,000 this year.

Some elements had to be canceled following rain and thick fog, but the event was an overall success with the number of visitors exceeding 400,000 on May 8th, last year’s attendance number.

Unlike the last two air shows that focused on show value, this year’s event was more about entertaining visitors and encouraging their involvement in the experience. It has established itself as an annual festival, a must-see event in May.

– Industrial Exhibition, glimpse into the future of aviation

A few days before the festival launched on May 3rd, a Business Day was held regarding the localization of aircraft parts and MRO.

The Republic of Korea Air Force munitions headquarters displayed aircraft, equipment, cutting-edge electronic devices, and 1,500 other related parts and also held demonstrations. Korea Aerospace Industries, producer of the T-50 Golden Eagle, an advanced supersonic trainer, was also part of the event, presenting its future plans to localize parts and providing consultations with interested personnel.

The Aviation Industry Exhibition had ninety-nine participants last year. This year, however, the number increased to 158, indicating the extent by which the event has progressed.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo said, “Gyeonggi Province has plans to expand its aviation sector. Our goal is to reach USD 20 billion in production and USD 10 billion in exports by 2020, which will place us among the top seven in the world. We believe the air show will provide leverage in such development.”

– The best air show in Asia!

The most popular and anticipated program during the international event was the air show.

Three more programs were added this year, bringing the total to eighteen. Each hour was filled with exciting aerial action.

The Korean Air Force’s elite acrobatic flight team, the Black Eagles, flew through the sky in the advanced T-50 jet trainer that was manufactured with Korean technology. It was praised as the best show by spectators and also proved the safety and superior performance of the T-50.

Young and beautiful American pilot Melissa Pemberton and Hungarian pilot Veres Zoltan, holder of the world record for circling in the air 408 times, also performed. Spectators gazed into the sky with awe as their aircraft twisted and turned in the sky.

The group acrobatic act Global Air Show, which consists of pilots from England and Lithuania, was also very popular among spectators. The group’s leader, Rolandas Paksas, is a thirty-eight year veteran and former president of Lithuania.

– Exciting shows, the best gift for children

This year’s air show expanded its programs from last year’s sixty-four to eighty-two this year, adding exciting experience programs on space travel and simulation flights. This attracted 120,000 more people to attend the programs compared to last year for a total of 280,000. The small aircraft flying experience program was so popular that the competition rate for participation was fifteen to one.

The earthquake and fire-fighting experience programs, part of the 119 safety experience camp, were also very popular among visitors. Attention towards safety precautions have been hightened after the disaster in Japan. Children and adults took part and learned essential survival skills in case of an emergency.

The runway was open to the public on the final day, so visitors were able to approach the pilots for autographs and take a closer look at all sorts of aircraft, K-9 self-propelled artillery, and other tools of defense and take souvenir pictures.

– Greater convenience with online ticket sales and service facilities

Some visitors had to wait in line for two hours to purchase tickets last year. But this year potential visitors were given the option to purchase tickets online. They also enjoyed a large discount so the commotion at the ticketing stand was resolved this year.

Tickets were also available through social-commerce routes, a new approach that gained some attention.

Gyeonggi Province was the first local government to sell tickets and food/beverage packages with the help of the social-commerce company We Make Price, offering a 61% discount. Tickets were also available through Groupon, one of the first social-commerce sites in Korea.

The aviation exhibition’s theme song and music videos were released online. Video promotion pieces were chosen through an open contest, garnering public participants.

Parking space was also expanded. Last year there was room for 9,370 vehicles. This year the space was expanded to accommodate 12,700 vehicles. The number of safety agents was also increased by two-hundred, with 1,000 personnel on safety watch each day of the event to ensure fast and efficient crowd flow.

2011 G-Global Aviation in Ansan, held under the theme of “Painting Dreams and Hopes in the Sky”, was certainly the largest air show in all of Asia both in scale and quality.

Gyeonggi Tourism Organization President Hwang Jun-gi said, “The air show will be bigger and better next year. We are already preparing numerous air events and experience programs. We are also keeping safety in mind so people who come to the show can relax and enjoy their visit.”

Inquiries : Tourism Division, Strategic Tourism Team +82-31-8008-8541

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