SINGAPORE, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Many airlines in the Asia-Pacific who have already ordered larger and more eco-efficient aircraft are expected to take 37 percent of all new aircraft deliveries worldwide over the next 15 years, said Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday.

Teo said that these airlines will go ahead of their counterparts in Europe, North America and the Middle East, as they tap on the potential growth of ASEAN members enhancing air connectivity with other regions, according to the website of Prime Minister's Office.

Teo delivered the speech at the opening ceremony for Singapore Airshow 2018. The airshow will formally kick off on Tuesday and finish on Sunday. It is Asia's largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world.

This year, the airshow will attract more than 1,000 participating firms from 50 countries and regions, including 65 of the top 100 global aerospace companies such as Airbus, Boeing and UTC Aerospace Systems.

The number of trade visitors to this year's airshow is expected to reach about 50,000, who are from about 150 countries and regions. Enditem