Aerospace Executive Service
Airport Industry Showcase 2005
Johannesburg, South Africa
October 19-21, 2005
Event Description:
The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Commercial Service (CS) office in Johannesburg, South Africa and the ITA Aerospace and Defense Technology Team are organizing the Aerospace Executive Service (AES) at Airport Industry Showcase (AIS) 2005.
The Aerospace Executive Service affords lower-cost access to small and medium-sized businesses by allowing them to participate in the Airport Industry Showcase 2005 without taking on the significant expenses of purchasing and staffing booth space.
The Aerospace Executive Service (AES) package at the Airport Industry Showcase
2005
Show includes:
Airport Industry Showcase 2005
The AIS 2005 international conference and exhibition, on October 19 - 21, 2005,
will provide a forum for African airport procurement decision-makers to meet
with regional and international suppliers of products, services and technologies.
The AES at AIS 2005 offers an ideal opportunity for U.S. companies to access
the (South) African airport market.
Sectors covered:
Airport Terminal buildings
Apron, Runways and Air Traffic Control
Air cargo and ICT
Passenger Services and retail
Safety and Security
Dates: October 19-21, 2005
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre
Johannesburg
Commercial Setting: The Airport and Ground Support Equipment Market in South Africa
As the leading air transportation center of Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa
has an extensive and relatively modern air transport and airport infrastructure.
However, increased air traffic (resulting from South Africa's growing economy
and its hosting of the 2010 World Cup Soccer matches), equipment changes (i.e.
new larger aircraft types), and ongoing freight handling upgrades will act as
a major stimulus for airport development in South Africa.
Market Overview
South Africa has eleven principal airports, including four international facilities and hundreds of smaller regional and private airports. The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) owns and operates South Africa's nine main airports, including Johannesburg International Airport (JIA), the air transport hub of Sub-Saharan Africa. JIA caters to over 13 million passengers each year and is the busiest passenger airport in Africa. Various companies at JIA employ more than 18,000 people.
The best prospects for U.S. exporters to take advantage of the infrastructure upgrades envisioned for the next five years will be:
Ground support equipment,
Passenger transport vehicles,
Luggage handling vehicles and systems,
Cargo de-grouping and logistics,
Security Systems,
Air traffic control, and
Instrument Landing Systems
South Africa continues its predominant role as a Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO) hub for sub-Saharan Africa and is an important reselling location for US products. Several foreign airlines, including some from Europe have their required maintenance (such as D checks) performed on commercial jetliners in South Africa. The South African airport ground support equipment market also reflects this regional leadership within Africa.
Market Trends
ACSA is embarking on a capital expenditure program to increase airport passenger capacity and efficiencies ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. A particular focus of the capital expenditure program will be the airports in the secondary cities (Kimberley, Bloemfontein and East London) hosting matches. The movement of international visitors from Europe to SA and between the scattered match venues will require that ACSA implement extensive and sustainable upgrade projects over the next five years. At Johannesburg International Airport yet another increase in the international passenger transfer facility is imminent, which will be integrated with the proposed Gautrain, the two-city high-speed rail link. A midfield cargo-handling center is still under consideration for possible construction by 2010. The aprons at each of these affected airports will also be increased to accommodate larger aircraft types.
Mission Goals:
The goal of the Aerospace Executive Service at AIS 2005 is to facilitate an effective presence for small to medium-sized companies without incurring the major expenses associated with purchasing and staffing exhibition space. The Aerospace Executive Service enables U.S. aerospace companies to familiarize themselves with this trade fair, to conduct market research, and to explore export opportunities through pre-screened meetings with potential partners. The Aerospace Executive Service also allows the U.S. companies to have a presence at the show, providing them an enhanced image and level of engagement, an office infrastructure environment, and the support of knowledgeable Commercial Service staff focused on furthering company-specific objectives. Access to South Africa and other international markets and business partners is made possible through the Aerospace Executive Service in a manner that cannot be matched by simply attending the show as a visitor.
Mission Scenario:
The maximum number of participants is fifteen. Aerospace Team members and other domestic office trade specialists will recruit and counsel prospective participants for the 2005 Aerospace Executive Service. The companies will forward company information and literature to Commercial Service Johannesburg, South Africa.
An Aerospace and Defense Team member will arrive in South Africa prior to the show. Participants arrive in South Africa on their own schedule and will report to the Aerospace Executive Service program at the designated hotel, on the morning of October 19. There will be a briefing early on October 19 before the show floors open to discuss the program features and each company representative will receive a country/regional briefing on market opportunities.
Company literature and promotional material will be shipped to Commercial Service Johannesburg. No exhibition or larger demonstration items are appropriate and will not be permitted. Commercial Service staff will be available for information and assistance on October 19 through 21.
Timetable:
Participants will arrive according to their own schedule, but are reminded that they should assemble at the designated hotel at 08h00 on October 19, to be escorted to the show facility.
Promotion/recruitment will include, but not be limited to, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, mailings from internal mailing lists, win faxes to internal database aerospace clients, email to aerospace distribution lists and through posting on the International Trade Administration's home page and in the Federal Register.
Recruitment for the AES program will close July 29, 2005.
Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Criteria for Participant Selection:
A company's product and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the finished good or service.
Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.
Contact Information:
Aerospace and Defense Team
Mark Arthur Weaver
Senior Aerospace Specialist
Director
Fort Worth Export Assistance Center
808 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Tel: 817-392-2673
Fax: 817-392-2668
Email: mark.weaver@mail.doc.gov
Ms. Karen Dubin
International Trade Specialist - Aerospace
US Department of Commerce
Washington, DC
Tel: 202 482-3786
Fax: 202 482-3113
Email: Karen_Dubin@ita.doc.gov
Commercial Service South Africa
Johan van Rensburg
Commercial Specialist- Aerospace
U.S. Commercial Service
US Consulate
Courier Address:
15, Chaplin Road
Illovo 2196
Mail Address:
P.O. Box 1712
Houghton 2040
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel: (27) 011-778-4815
Fax: (27) 011-268-6102
Cell: 083-617-0340
Email: Johan.van.Rensburg@mail.doc.gov