Overall the number of participating exhibitor companies at Avalon2013 increased along with the number of official delegations attending the event.
However challenging weather across the opening days of the six day event, along with the current contraction in aerospace and defence industries contributed towards a downturn in crowd numbers from the previous near record high in 2011.
There were almost 168 thousand attendances across the full six trade and public days of the event, compared to the near record 195 thousand attendances at the previous event.
Airshow CEO Ian Honnery says although the attendances were less than anticipated, a repeat of the exceptionally high attendance levels experienced in 2011 had not been expected.
"Due to the current contraction in the aerospace and defence industries around the world and the budgetary constraints that are affecting many Defence Forces, we anticipated there would some downturn in trade day attendances."
"What is pleasing is the slightly higher number of participating exhibitor companies. Numbers are up from 575 in 2011 to 601 for this event, along with a slight increase in the number of delegations which went from 75 to 79," Mr Honnery says.
Avalon2013 can also boast a huge increase in the number of associated conferences, symposia and forums. This figure has risen from 15 in 2011 to a total of 23 for this year's event.
Encouragingly the feedback from exhibitors and the public alike for Avalon2013 has been overwhelmingly favourable.
The new and upgraded facilities including the Exhibitor Business Units have been well received. In addition, the response to the flying display programme and in particular the first flying display by the F-22 Raptor from the US Air Force has been highly complementary.
"Overall we are extremely pleased with the strong results for the 2013 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition," Mr Honnery says.
"This is a 'Hallmark' event for the State of Victoria which generates a significant boost for both the State and regional economies. More importantly it provides an international platform to promote aviation and aerospace industries."
Planning is already underway for Avalon2015. It will be a very special show as it will commemorate the Anzac centenary, and will pay aviation homage to a century of service by Australians in the defence of the Nation.
