FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION COUNCIL MEETING IN MIDDLE EAST DURING MEBA 2010
Dubai, UAE. 17 November 2009 – In a first for the region, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has won its bid to host the 2010 meeting in Dubai of the governing body of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).
Traditionally held in the US and Europe, the annual meeting of IBAC’s governing body will be held next year during the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show, taking place from 7 to 9 December 2010.
The announcement was made by MEBAA Chairman Ali Al Naqbi, during MEBAA’s annual board meeting at the Dubai Airshow at Airport Expo, Dubai.
Mr Al Naqbi commented: “The Middle East market, in which some 450 business aircraft are currently operating, is set to expand 15 to 20 per cent per annum over the next four years, to become a US$1 billion industry.
“Confident that the Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions for business aviation, we approached the IBAC governing body to persuade them to come to Dubai and experience this dynamic marketplace themselves.
“Our efforts were rewarded by their decision to hold their annual meeting in Dubai, the first time outside the US and Europe.”
With more than 130 members, MEBAA is an active participant in the region and has been a member of IBAC since 2007.
MEBAA, working closely with Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC), played a significant role recently in keeping the city’s former military airport, Al Bateen, open for business aviation.
“We are grateful to the Government of Abu Dhabi for allowing Al Bateen to be used solely for corporate and business jets, the first airport of its type exclusively dedicated to business aviation. We at MEBAA strongly believe that if more airports are made available to business aviation in the region, it will increase business jet traffic and therefore, help the industry grow,” added Mr Al Naqbi.
Looking to the future, MEBAA will work closely with regulatory authorities in the region to ensure that regulations relating to business aviation are developed in accordance with international standards.
MEBAA participated in business aviation exhibitions in the US and Europe in 2008 and 2009, NBAA and EBACE, respectively.
The third Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show in the series in November 2008, organised by F&E Aerospace, attracted some 250 exhibitors from 30 countries and over 5,500 visitors, closing with more than US$1.5billion worth of deals struck. The next MEBA event will take place from 7 to 9 December 2010 in Dubai.