7,075 industry visits anticipated for fifth middle east business aviation show (MEBA)
Mid east business aviation market to grow to us $1 billion over next five years, says MEBAA chief
Dubai, UAE. 11 December 2012 - The business aviation world touched down in Dubai today as the fifth, and largest, Middle East Business Aviation show (MEBA) - the only event in the region dedicated to business aviation - opened for the first time at the expansive master-planned aerotropolis Dubai World Central .
The show, which has 385 exhibitors from 45 countries - 14% more participants than two years ago, was officially opened by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of both the Emirates Group and Dubai Airports. The exhibitor line-up includes new-to-show pavilions representing the USA and Malta while 45 aircraft, including a static display of models from the world's leading manufacturers.
HH Sheikh Ahmed spent almost two hours touring the show accompanied by: HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister For Foreign Trade; Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways ' CEO; Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) and Khalifa Al Zaffin, Chairman of Dubai World Central .
MEBA 2012 spans 19,033 square metres with room at DWC to spare. "We have invested here to accommodate growth and to create demand - an approach we are known for," said HH Sheikh Ahmed. "We will press ahead with development of a dedicated show site here for next year's Dubai Airshow and we could be seeing passenger aircraft arriving here before the exhibition opens."
MEBA 2012 meanwhile is taking place against an upbeat atmosphere with Arabia's business and business aviation leaders stamping the region as a "must" for the sector's players.
Ali Al Naqbi, told delegates at a pre-expo conference that the regional business aviation market, currently valued at US $493 million, will be worth US $1 billion by 2018 "Quite simply there is huge growth potential here," said Al Naqbi who explained that regional business aviation traffic had risen 12% in the past year and predicted its installed fleet would expand from the current 500 to 1,300 aircraft by 2020.
Al Naqbi's bullish forecasts were underpinned by Mubadala Aerospace Executive Director, Homaid Al Shemmari who called for consolidation within the regional industry to ignite "great opportunities." Al Shemmari said the consolidation would come gradually and would put the Middle East, and the UAE capital at the centre of the global industry, who would have to be ready to partner the region.
"We must be patient but there will be game-changing events in this region," he said. Among the changes would be a shift away from the region simply being a buyer of business jets.
"We don't want to continue the same game," said Al Shemmari. "We now want exchange. We will buy 100 planes but we want something in return. We want investment in this region in terms of manufacturing, support and supply. And with the way the global scenario is changing, business aircraft manufacturers will have to focus on MENA and the Far East."
Meanwhile Sheikha Lubna dubbed the business aviation sector "an engine of growth for the UAE and the region."
She added: "The region is very affluent, we have invested in the right facilities for which we are now reaping the awards with this expansive show, the market is growing with increasing use of corporate and private jets for both business and pleasure and I think we have a sector here that still has huge untapped reserves."
Growth was also forecast by the Qatar Airways ' CEO. "The GCC region is certainly a growth area and everyone in the industry is waking up to the fact that this is a very important market. There is infinite potential here," said Akbar Al Baker.
MEBA is organised by F&E Aerospace on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association who are forecasting a record visitor turnout for the industry-only event.
"The global industry's realisation of the potential here is widespread which has led to an influx of service providers to the show - indeed they now make up 50% of the exhibitor profile. Visitor pre-registrations, are another sign of the regional industry's health, they are nearing 7,000 - which on the first day is well ahead of the entire 2010 turnout. This is a ringing endorsement of the regional industry. It's a game-changing show for an evolving marketplace," she said.
MEBA, which is now the world's third largest business aviation show, runs at Dubai World Central until Thursday night.
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About F&E Aerospace
F&E Aerospace is a division of F&E, one of the most influential names in the aerospace industry's events sector, and which launched the very first Dubai Airshow in 1989, in conjunction with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and the UAE Armed Forces.
Covering all aerospace-related events in the F&E portfolio, F&E Aerospace has a long-standing relationship with the global aerospace industry, an in-depth knowledge of the market and a hard-earned reputation for delivering event excellence. F&E Aerospace maintains offices in Dubai and London.
About MEBAA
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) is the official representative of the business aviation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and is a member of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). MEBAA is a non-profit association established in 2006 with the mission to provide a platform for members of the business aviation industry in the MENA region to gather, understand and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry.
As part of its on-going efforts to grow, the Association strives to implement operational safety and efficiency by providing best in-practice training, lectures and conferences, establishing codes of conduct, and providing industry data. MEBAA now represents over 190 companies within the MENA region and provides a number of products and services to its members, including the MAIS insurance scheme for operators. In addition to various networking events, MEBAA hosts the MEBA Show, which is now the third largest business aviation show in the world.
Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) will be held at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport - Dubai World Central , from 11 to 13 December 2012. This event is the Middle East's premier business aviation event and a must attend event for anyone involved in chartering, leasing, selling, purchasing, operating and servicing business and VIP jets. In addition to the exhibition, the event features a static display of the latest business aircraft. Exhibiting at MEBA provides the ideal platform to reach key business contacts and build relationships. www.meba.aero
Aircraft interiors Middle East (AIME) will again be co-located with MRO Middle East taking place 22-23 January 2013, at ( DWC ) Dubai World Trade Centre. The event showcases cutting edge designs, innovative cabin fittings and technological advancements for the region's rapidly developing aviation market. AIME also features an innovative Hosted Buyer Programme bringing together visitors and exhibitors in prescheduled one-on-one appointments, helping to maximise their show experience. www.aime.aero
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Middle East (MRO ME) Aviation Week and F&E Aerospace's joint partnership event, will once again be co-located with AIME, taking place 21-23 January 2013 at ( DWC ) Dubai World Trade Centre. MRO Middle East provides the ideal platform for suppliers and developers seeking to increase their presence in one of the fastest growing regions.
MRO Middle East features a 2 day exhibition and conference for key professionals uniting airlines and suppliers to provide the perfect environment to network and discuss the latest trends, regulations and issue impacting this industry. www.mrome.aero
Dubai Airshow will be taking place 17-21 November 2013, is the foremost aerospace event in the Middle East. The show features an extensive display of civil and military aircraft and sees trade delegations attending from across the world. The Dubai Airshow is firmly established as a key event on the international aerospace calendar - consistently delivering key buyers and decision makers along with unrivalled access to the Middle East aerospace market. www.dubaiairshow.aero
For F&E Aerospace, contact
Gemma L'Appanna
PR Manager
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E: gemma.lappanna@dubai.aero