Amid the roar of fast jet displays over hospitality chalets at the airshow, investors and financiers are expected to remain on the sidelines, waiting for concrete proof of a sustained recovery.

The aviation business is unlikely to find much to cheer about at this year´s first major industry event, the Singapore Airshow.

But one bright spot amid the gloom, is the rising popularity of low cost carriers, as they become a more economical way for passengers wanting to travel without spending too much.

Industry executives say early signs of a global economic recovery could lead to some demand from low-cost carriers at the February 2-7 gathering, but there seems to be little signs of big-ticket orders.

Boeing, which has a backlog of 3400 planes worth 250 Billion U.S. dollars, managed to deliver 481 planes in 2009.

Before the financial crisis, the industry had grown used to the annual ritual of an orders race between Boeing and Airbus, with customers spending $62 billion in 2008.

The annual airshow comes on the heels of a optimistic but cautious outlook from world airlines, as passenger numbers jumped almost a quarter in December, giving a positive end to the industry´s worst year.

But while that suggests economic recovery is picking up steam, IATA said the aviation sector would face a tough year ahead making up for the lost demand in 2009.