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For those who don’t follow aviation closely, the world’s third biggest airshow is taking place in Singapore right now. And there’re a number of things different about it. For one, there are no big plane orders expected, which is normally the most common at airshows. Also, unexpectedly, there’s a ton of social media infused into the happenings, which makes the airshow really hot. Here’s why.
Journalism on steroids, powered by Social Media
Generally at airshows, you get “daily digests” – thick printed booklets with a summary of all the happenings of the previous days at the airshow. This time FlightGlobal’s coverage has taken it a step further – they have digital daily digests called “iFlight”. These contain interactive graphics, high-definition videos from the show and even Tweets from key FlightGlobal bloggers on the ground. And it comes in your inbox everyday, so you don’t even need to be at the show to get it.
When it comes to broadcast, not only does CNBC Asia have an on-site studio for Live telecasts, they also have a very lively Guest Blog going and also making embeddable video clips available on their website.
SimpliFlying too has a dedicated micro-site providing real-time coverage to trade attendees.
Power to the people
It sure looks like there’s great trade coverage of the airshow through social media. But what about the general visitor? Aviationweek.com has given you and I the ability to upload videos, and photos on their website, which may even be selected for printing!
Simpliflying has set up a FourSquare location and will be giving away an iPod to the Mayor of the Airshow at the end of the event. Now, that’s a new one!
The world’s first tweet-up on board a plane
Here’s the coolest social media event that happened at the airshow – the World’s 1st Tweet-up on board an airplane (see photos). Held on-board a Bombardier Q400 regional jet painted in airBaltic’s colors, the Tweetup that’s first of a kind saw aviation geeks, social media geeks and the media came together. Being organized by SimpliFlying and sponsored by Bombardier, the event was held right after the closing ceremony of the airshow this Friday.
To make things even more exciting, a 1:55 scale model of the plane, worth US$500, was given away to a lucky winner (@unfluff). The Bombardier head-stewardess served beer and snacks to the attendees. And for once, there was no charge for food and drinks!
Even though the Singapore Airshow has not seen many new orders, I bet it’s the one that has received the most social media buzz, ever.