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2020-01-07

MEBAA 2020 to be Bigger and Better

The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show is all set to return from 8 to 10 December 2020 at Dubai World Central (DWC), the Dubai Airshow Site and is expected to welcome over 500 exhibitors and 10,000 trade attendees throughout the three days. According to Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of MEBAA, 2020 will be a good year for business aviation in the MENA region.

MEBAA is the official representative of the business aviation industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It is a non-profit association and a member of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). It was 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. MEBAA represents over 270 companies and offers a number of products and services to these members, including MEBAA Insurance and networking events to provide a platform for member discussions and ensure the business aviation community remains at the forefront of this ever-changing industry.

Sector Leader

Alnaqbi highlighted that that the business aviation sector in the MENA region is achieving a positive growth rate of around eight to nine per cent, higher than the global growth estimate of four to six per cent, pointing out that the UAE has become the sector leader in the region.

He was quoted saying: “2020 will be a milestone in the history of business aviation and private aviation in the Middle East region in general, and in the UAE in particular, as a result of Expo 2020. The air traffic in Dubai is currently around 15,000 movements, and this is expected to double to at least 30,000 thanks to the event.”

According to Alnaqbi, two main factors will drive this growth – the official delegations travelling to the country and the companies and business leaders attending the event.

The number of aircraft registered in the UAE market is almost 25 per cent of the 600 aircraft registered in the Middle East. Investments in the sector are difficult to quantify as they are distributed among airlines, operators and buildings as well as airports. However, Alnaqbi says the volume in the country is estimated at between US$800 to US$900 million annually, with a contribution to GDP of around two to three per cent.

In addition, the industry will benefit from government support for growth. The aviation sector is one of the main strategic sectors, targeted by government plans. It seeks to build a strong and sustainable economy, based on the diversification of sources of national income, and build a post-oil economy.

Robust Participation

Among the companies already exhibiting at the MEBAA Show 2020 are Airbus Corporate Jets, Dassault Aviation, Gulfstream and Embraer, in addition to other industry leaders. The event attracts key decision makers and VVIPs along with the whole supply chain of the business aviation industry.

“It’s very important to be close to our customers and to be part of the MEBAA Show,” Benoit Defforge, President of Airbus Corporate Jets, said at the last MEBAA show. “The Middle East is the number one market for ACJ and MEBAA Show is a very interesting venue because we have the proximity of the booths, the chalets and the aircraft.”

The 2018 edition of the show attracted 452 exhibitors from the global business aviation industry alongside some of the region’s biggest buyers, with business taking place up until closing on the final day of the event.

Highlights of the 2018 event included Boeing Business Jets announcing its BBJ 777X wide-body business aircraft to the industry and the static display including a Bell Helicopter production 505 and a BBJ 878-8 Dreamliner among many other leading jets. H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of Presidential Flight, the Abu Dhabi based VVIP and VIP flight operator, toured the show and saw many of the aircraft on the static display.

Expectations are high for 2020 but already the signs are there that the event will be bigger and better. With the business aviation industry booming in the region, new exhibitors are keen to be part of the event and all eyes are on Dubai for Expo 2020.

“We have a very positive outlook for the region,” added Gregory Laxton, CEO of Boeing Business Jets. He continued, “29 per cent of all Boeing Business and 52 per cent of our widebody VIP airplanes come to this region. So, this region is very important to us.”

“The business aviation market in the Middle East is predicted to be worth over US$1 billion by 2020, and Bombardier predict 350 deliveries to the Middle East valued at US$12 billion over the next 10 years,” Alnaqbi added. “When you consider the opportunities that will offer, it’s no wonder we are seeing such interest in the MEBAA Show 2020.”

Reference Text/Photo:

www.mebaa.aero

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