Organisers of February’s Australian International Airshow at Avalon say the 2015 event attracted almost 170,000 visitors and delivered a $146 million boost to the Victorian economy.
Airshow chief executive Ian Honnery said the figures highlighted the strong “pulling power” of the event, which combined spectacular flying displays and an array of advanced military hardware, corporate jets and vintage aircraft on show with a trade expo that had 600 exhibitors keen become a part of the global aviation/aerospace supply chain.
“The fact that we continue to attract people from the four corners of the globe reflects our prestige and international standing,” Honnery said in a statement on Thursday.
“By any standards we play an important and unique role supporting Australian industry and promoting local know how to the international marketplace.
“As a not-for-profit organisation our mission is to provide a conduit between Australian technology innovators and service providers and the key international industry decision makers.”
A report the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research prepared after the Airshow said Victoria received a gross economic benefit of $146.2 million from the event, while 2,00 full year equivalent positions were created.
There was also a $22.1 million boost to gross regional product for the city of Geelong, the Airshow said.
There were 169,251 visitors to the six-day event, including 38,000 from outside Victoria and 13,000 who travelled from overseas to attend.
Honnery said the Airshow was much more than the popular flying displays.
“We’re serious about the business of doing business, of bringing the world to Australia and taking Australia to the world,” Honnery said.
