SINGAPORE — With a record US$32 billion (S$40.5 billion) worth of deals inked at this year’s Singapore Airshow — surpassing 2012’s total by US$1 billion, or S$1.3 billion, — organisers have set their sights on surpassing this marker at the next exhibition in 2016.

“The KPI (Key Performance Indicator) has been set with US$32 billion (and) we certainly want to shoot beyond that,” said Mr Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Experia Events, which organised the airshow.

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus clinched the biggest deal over the past four days, after it received orders worth US$8.3 billion from British-based leasing firm Amedeo for 20 of its Superjumbo A380 jets.

The exhibition also witnessed a record turnout of 40,000 trade visitors in the first three trade days, 2,000 more than the same period two years ago.

More than 1,000 exhibitors from 47 countries participated in this year’s show — the largest edition to date. Of these, 72 per cent have reaffirmed plans to return in 2016, Mr Lau told reporters yesterday as the trade element of the biennial event drew to a close.

The show will be open to the public today and tomorrow, with the organisers expecting 80,000 visitors over the weekend.

Some 3,000 tickets for admission on Sunday are still available for purchase, said Experia.

Moving forward, Mr Lau said the show intends to ride on two emerging trends: The drive towards training more professionals for the aviation industry and the rapid growth of low-cost carriers in the Asia-Pacific region.

On whether the Republic’s airshow is comparable to those in other cities such as Dubai, where a record US$200 billion in aircraft sales was sealed last November because of huge orders by Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, Mr Lau felt it would “not be a fair comparison”.

He said: “Firstly, they are starting off from a very low base. Secondly, their orders are all for twin-aisle jets … Asia is a matured market for most of these twin-aisle aircraft. We are mostly going after single-aisle aircraft with the growth of the low-cost carrier market”.

With air traffic in the Asia-Pacific region projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.2 per cent until 2030, many companies interviewed said the show has become a key event on their calenders.

Mr Jonathan Asherson, Rolls-Royce Regional Director for South-east Asia, said: “Singapore Airshow is the largest in Asia, which is our fastest growing region and has the biggest proportion of our order book. With the number and the quality of delegates coming here and the peripheral events around it, this is a show that we will not miss.”

Bell Helicopter communications manager Sara Monger said the twin focus on military and commercial at the show allowed the company to promote both sides of their business and meet potential clients.

“It’s really about making connection, having discussions that move deals along even if they don’t get signed,” she said.

On whether space constraints will become an issue, Mr Lau pointed to several exhibitors, such as Rolls-Royce and ST Engineering, that have built double-decker booths to increase their participation space.

“We’ll likely see more companies doing that (in 2016) ... At the moment, I’d rather have a sold-out (show) rather than to build another hall and have 50 per cent empty space,” he said.