1 October 2001LANGKAWI - The show will go on despite withdrawals, so said Le Proton Lima, the organiser of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2001.
A number of American participants have pulled out of the show as a direct result of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US. They include the United States Air Force aerobatics display team, the Thunderbirds, a guided missile destroyer and American Gulfstream Inc, a business jet manufacturer.
The other American companies that have confirmed their participation, including Boeing, will send smaller delegations.
Casa, Spain’s aerospace company had also announced their withdrawal.
The Pakistan Navy had informed the show’s organiser that it is also withdrawing the participation of a submarine.
Crowd’s favourites such as Britain’s Red Arrows aerobatics display team and Gramov Flight Institute from Russia will be participating.
The organiser will have a strong security contingent at the show. Police, soldiers, commandos and plain-clothes officers will be on duty round-the-clock.
LIMA 2001 is on from 8 to 14 October.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad is scheduled to open the show on October 9.