- First Middle East Representative in IBAC -
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.
-Ends-