I am pleased to have the opportunity to address this meeting of Aviation professionals, predominantly Pilots and direct operational personnel. As founding Chairman of MEBAA, a trade association of business aviation professionals in the Middle East region, I consider it a unique privilege to express my views and perspectives about business aviation in the Middle East.
Business Aviation in this region, until recently has existed in an insignificant way limited to the exclusive use of luxurious aircraft with customized interiors dedicated to the highly influential segment of the society. It is only at the beginning of this century that growth has picked up and as of date this region is acclaimed as a high growth center by the majority of our industry.
This can be seen from the forecasted growth parameters in the region,
- with –
a) The number of business aircraft expected to grow from the current 453 to 1330 by 2019.
b) And - The number of business aircraft movements rising from the present 110,000 to 160,000 by 2018.
c) Business aviation is currently valued at US$ 493 million expected to grow to over one Billion US$ by 2018.
All these growth indicators are attributable to the increasing GDP of the region fueled by the pace of commercialization & industrialization. However, such a rapid pace of development has it’s challenges.
Growth limiters for our industry in the region include absence of business aircraft airports, difficulties in accessing the major busy airports in the region like Dubai, inadequate availability of local manpower skills especially flight crew, occasional hiccups in flight permissions to disturbed regions like Iraq, and logistical constraints due to long supply chains. Every challenge is accompanied by an opportunity for betterment and this region has significant opportunity related to our Industry.
The Middle East region has excellent physical infrastructure in road networks, seaports and business airports conducive for establishment of a manufacturing base leading to creation of aircraft completion centers and other manufacturing segments. Regional availability of skilled manpower to supplement the local talents from the sub-continent is an added attraction. Establishment of training centers such as flight schools will create the facilities to fill the existing gaps in crew availability. Consultancy services in areas like flight safety, interior design and other technical areas is a growing industry. All these factors are attracting and continue to attract skilled professionals from this industry to this region, from all over the globe.
Above all the region is endowed with a powerful trade association like MEBAA to focus the concerns of its operator members through the right channels. MEBAA, in the short period since it’s inception in 2006 has grown to be an influential body with over 155 members.
Our aim is to promote the organized growth of business aviation in the region using the current and up to date best practices in the industry with regard to safety and security.
Thank you for your time and I would like to wish you all a successful and productive IOC.
Sincerely
Ali Al Naqbi
Note: This paper was presented by Lex denHerder of Universal Aviation for Mr. al Naqbi in the
Middle Eastern Regional Information Session.