Singapore Airshow to mark 10th edition with first-ever space summit
A key topic to be discussed, the space economy, is projected to hit US$1.8 trillion in value by 2035
[SINGAPORE] The inaugural Space Summit at the 10th edition of the Singapore Airshow next year is set to feature discussions around the rapidly growing space economy, said organiser Experia Events on Monday (Dec 8).
The Space Summit 2026 will be held from Feb 2 to 3 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. It is officially endorsed by Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) and the Economic Development Board.
“The summit positions Singapore as the hub for space dialogue and collaboration in Asia-Pacific,” said Experia in its statement.
The space economy, a key topic to be discussed at the summit, is projected to reach a US$1.8 trillion value by 2035, up from US$630 billion in 2023, according to a McKinsey report from January.
The forecast value includes both “backbone” applications, such as those for satellites, launchers and services such as broadcast television or GPS, as well as “reach” applications, such as those for which space technology helps companies generate revenue.
Themed “New Frontiers: Shaping a Responsible and Inclusive Space Future”, the Space Summit 2026 will convene global policymakers, space agencies, investors and innovators to discuss topics such as infrastructure, sustainability, investment and the in-space economy.
OSTIn in August had said that Singapore can support the global space industry as a geospatial data hub, with the potential to “create high-value jobs”.
In February, it also announced plans to put S$60 million towards developing satellite technology, among other space industry moves – including a regional satellite imaging project.
That followed a Deloitte report that forecast that the increased use of earth observation data could add US$100 billion to South-east Asia’s gross domestic product by 2030.
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Airbus, Boeing and Comac return
Having debuted in 2008, the main event of the Singapore Airshow 2026 will take place from Feb 3 to 8 at the Changi Exhibition Centre, with more than 1,000 participating companies spanning 50 regions.
An “expanded presence” is expected from both the Italian Trade Agency Pavilion and the China Pavilion. Other countries such as Singapore, Japan and the UK will also have country pavilions.
Europe’s Airbus, the US’ Boeing and China’s Comac will return as exhibitors, alongside more defence-focused players such as Lockheed Martin. Local companies such as SIA Engineering and ST Engineering will also be present.
While Boeing was in attendance in 2024 as an exhibitor, it chose not to display its passenger aircraft such as the 737 Max or 777X after a fuselage panel on one of its 737 Max 9s blew out mid-air at the start of the year.
A Boeing spokesperson declined to confirm if its passenger aircraft will be making a return to the Singapore Airshow in 2026. Experia Events said confirmation on static and flying displays will only be ready nearer the show date, likely to be end-January.
The US planemaker’s long-delayed 777X made an appearance at the Dubai Airshow in November – its first since the Wings India show in Hyderabad in January 2024.
The jet’s first delivery was delayed a fifth time in October, this time to 2027 from the previous 2026 target. The aircraft was originally slated to begin deliveries in 2020.
Singapore Airlines, which has 31 777X jets on order, in November said that it is not expecting a “major impact” from the delay.
Sustainable aviation fuel and net zero in focus
Sustainable aviation fuel and net-zero intiatives are also expected to be in the spotlight.
Singapore’s sustainable aviation fuel levy will kick in on Oct 1 next year for all passengers and cargo on commercial flights originating in Singapore.
It will vary by destination and class of travel for passengers, ranging from S$1 to S$10.40 for economy class, and S$4 to S$41.60 for business and first class. For cargo, the levy ranges from S$0.01 to S$0.15 per kilogram.
In October this year, Singapore also set up the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company, the world’s first non-profit to centralise the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel. Central procurement of the fuel by the company aims to give airlines operating to and from Singapore the ability to negotiate its supply as an aggregate.
At the airshow’s AeroForum, renewable fuels leader Neste will discuss the fuel’s adoption, supply chain transformation and greener aviation operations.
The AeroForum will also discuss market and budget outlooks, autonomy and human-machine teaming, cybersecurity, advanced air mobility, workforce transformation and commercialisation of next generation technologies, said Experia.
Alongside the other events will be the Changi Aviation Summit 2026, to be held on Feb 2, with senior government officials and industry leaders set to discuss “key issues” faced by the civil aviation industry.
In 2024, the Singapore Airshow attracted a record of about 60,000 trade attendees – a 10 per cent jump from the 2022 show.
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