Abu Dhabi 3rd June 2007 - The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has announced recently its membership of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). The announcement was made during IBAC’s Governing Board meeting that was held in Geneva during EBACE 2007.

During the meeting that was attended by IBAC’s member associations, MEBAA was voted as the new member of the council, hence giving it direct access to the latest developments occurring in the international Business Aviation industry.

“MEBAA has been very active regionally in expanding the business aviation sector. We’ve worked hard to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this industry, which is clearly proved by the astounding 15-20% growth it witnesses annually. We are delighted to join our international peers under the IBAC umbrella and utilize this opportunity to raise awareness about this growing industry in the Middle East,” commented Ali Al Naqbi, Chairman of MEBAA.

MEBAA was launched in 2006 to promote safety, security, efficiency and expansion throughout the region's business aviation sector. It was formed with a founding member base of Airbus, Bexair, Boeing Business Jet, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Emirates CAE, ExecuJet, Fairs & Exhibitions, Falcon Aviation Services, Gulfstream, Jet Aviation, JetEX, Lufthansa Technik, National Air Services (NAS), Royal Jet, and Wallan Aviation. It now boasts over 45 members with more to be joining soon.

IBAC is a U.S based non-profit, non-governmental association which represents, promotes and protects the interests of business aviation in international policy and regulatory forums. Founded on 15 June 1981, IBAC’s holds 12 international aviation associations under its umbrella including the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA), the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA), the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the German Business Aviation Association (GBAA), and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) of the U.S. the joining of to the Council brings its member count to 13.

“Becoming a member of the renowned IBAC will greatly boost the growth of the business aviation industry in the region and raise its profile internationally. Through this membership we intend to exchange key learnings and technical know-hows with some of the key global players in our industry and other associations around the globe, which ultimately will enhance our services, expand our information databases, and add-value to our membering associations,” concluded Ammar Balkar, CEO and President of MEBAA.

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