More than 250,000 people are expected to visit Zhuhai's air show next month to catch a glimpse of the Shenzhou VII's re- entry module and the three astronauts it brought back safely after China's first space walk.

Zhuhai Air Show deputy general manager Wang Qiusheng said yesterday there was a 90 percent chance the central government would give the astronauts and the module the all clear to attend the November 4 to 9 event.

Zhuhai's Publicity, Culture and Sports Department deputy director, Si Jinquan, said he expected this year's attendance to surpass the 270,000 who attended the show in 2006.

"The success of the nation's first space walk has inspired a new generation of Chinese and the increase in public interest over aerospace will benefit this year's air show," he said.

The biennial air show, now on its seventh edition, will feature more than 60 aircraft and aerospace gear from more than 600 exhibitors representing 35 nations and territories.

The Eurocopter EC225, which played a lead role in the Sichuan emergency relief effort, will be on show along with a German-French-made AS332L2 Super Puma helicopter from Hong Kong's Government Flying Service.

With roughly 400 helicopters currently in service, the mainland will be looking to procure another 1,600 helicopters for public service by 2010, according to Zhuhai show organisers.

The mainland will also be looking for buyers of the nation's first indigenously developed civilian jet, the ARJ 21.

The show will also feature aerial acrobatics by Chinese, Indian and Russian teams.

Tickets are available at 320 yuan for adults, 160 yuan for students and 680 yuan for families of three.