LIMA Langkawi 2015

Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA)

The world's latest civilian and military aircraft and ships are the major attractions of this biennial event.

The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, better known by its acronym LIMA, is a major biannual event held on the island of Langkawi since 1991. One of the largest airshows in the world, LIMA differs from others in that it showcases technology from both the maritime and aerospace industries. The waters around Langkawi Island, where the event is held, enable warships and other maritime craft to dock and become part of the exhibition.

The exhibitors at LIMA are typically defense companies and governments, as well civilian aviation companies and shipyards. Every edition of LIMA typically has its star – from the light experimental aircrafts in the inaugural 1991 exhibition, to the highly manuverable Sukhoi Su-30MKM eighteen years later. Major aviation companies like Airbus and Boeing also use the event to generate sales in the Asia-Pacific, often bringing its most talked about models to LIMA.

Although the event is targeted towards maritime and aerospace industry players, LIMA is popular among aircraft and ship enthusiasts, especially those in the Asian region. Many of them throng to Langkawi just to be able to see the planes and ships up close. The event, usually held in December, typically lasts for five days. Most of the exhibition takes place at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, within Langkawi International Airport. The aircraft are usually parked on the airport tarmac for easy display, while the warships are docked at Awana Porto Malai. Airshows by various aircrafts are held during the afternoons all throughout the event, and are highly anticipated by the crowd.

Public visitors to LIMA are usually only allowed access to the event on its last day as it is foremost a trade event geared for exhibitors and industry players. This condition, however, has had little effect on its popularity, which grows steadily with each exhibition.