Strong jet orders tell positive story at region's biggest business aviation show

Dubai, 16th November 2008: The Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show opened on a high today (Sunday) with HE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman, General Civil Aviation Authority, forecasting robust growth in the Middle East charter jet market despite the global slowdown.

And HE Al Mansoori's positive message was backed up when over US$1.2bn of announcements were made in the first three hours of the show - which smashed the 2007 event's figures by 50 percent.

The largest of the day was by the Al Jaber Group which declared its intention of becoming the newest VIP charter operator to join the ranks with an initial investment of $1.2bn, representing a fleet of 21 aircraft from Embraer and Airbus.

HE Al Mansoori assured gathered press and exhibitors at MEBA - which is organised by F&E Aerospace on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) - of the UAE government's commitment to growing the industry through state-of-the-art facilities and the emirates' open skies policy.

"The GCC region is now emerging as a powerful economic block. The $1trillion GCC economy is a centre-point on the global financial map and this growth supports the travel business, with the aviation sector making considerable inroads. Business aviation traffic in the UAE is witnessing steady and healthy growth and is estimated at 1,300 movements monthly," said HE Al Mansoori, adding that the regional private jet industry was expected to grow from $500m to $800m annually by 2012.

HE Al Mansoori also acknowledged that the current global climate may impact executive air travel but said the shifting of the aviation community leadership to the Middle East, coupled with unique business, commercial and economic dynamics and demand for air travel, would provide financial immunity to the regional aerospace sector.

"The Middle East in general, and the Gulf States in particular, resemble a healthy market for business aviation aircraft," he said, adding that globally there are approximately 4,900 companies that own and operate more than 6,000 business aircraft, resulting in the creation of 16 million jobs.

HE Al Mansoori further reiterated that the UAE government was committed to supporting industry demands and appealed to industry players to be flexible in a changing financial climate.

"While I am most confident of continued growth, I urge the business aviation community to be aware of the fact that the current pool of aviation human resources will shrink. This is one of the most difficult challenges facing the industry.

"Another concern is illustrated by the need to join forces with the rest of the global aviation community to find solutions to control emission trading and the development of green airports, especially for general and business aviation," he said.

The first day of MEBA show, which features a record-breaking 250 exhibitors and ends on Tuesday at Dubai Airport Expo, saw wide-spread deal announcements from major regional and international companies.

Alison Weller, Director, F&E Aerospace - the company behind many of the region's top aerospace exhibitions including MEBA 2008 and the Dubai Airshow, said the announcements on day one were indicative of a healthy industry.

"The numerous good-news stories that we have seen on the first day at MEBA 2008 demonstrate the robust state of the executive travel industry. The fact that Al Jaber Group is launching a new aviation brand should give industry players and watchers added confidence in the long-term future of this market," she said.

On day one, Cessna confirmed it had received an order for a Citation Sovereign from Arab Wings of Jordan and made good on the delivery of the same aircraft to Sovereign Jet, with the Abu Dhabi-based company considering the addition of a third plane to its fleet.

Cessna, in line with a trend that is seeing many companies look to the Middle East for continued growth, named Wallan Aviation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as an Authorised Citation Service Centre for the region as well as TANEJA Aerospace & Aviation Ltd in India and Kinch Aviation in Nottinghamshire, England.

Meanwhile Embarer confirmed it had signed deals worth more than $208m to deliver two Legacy 500 Jets to Falcon Aviation Services, two to Asaig Aviation as well as four Legacy 450s and four Legacy 500s to new Al Jaber Aviation.

More than 5,000 visitors are expected at MEBA 2008 - more than 50 per cent more than were recorded in 2007 - and more than 70 aircraft are exhibited in the static display area.

The show is for trade visitors only, and opens from 10am-5.30pm.

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About Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E):
F&E has been delivering world class events for 50 years. The company now creates and organises international trade events for business and consumers from all over the world. Since the mid 1970s the company has focused on events in the rapidly developing West Asia and Middle East, specifically the Gulf region in Dubai, UAE, one of today's most vibrant trading zones with the world's fastest growing economy.

F&E's strengths, skills and experience are in sales, marketing, event management, venue development and public relations. The company prioritises quality, value and excellence for all its shows, delivering genuine and cost-effective business opportunities for its clients.

The Executive Board of F&E has over 100 years combined experience in the business of creating, launching and organising events and enjoys the close support of many government bodies, trade associations and leading business organisations, as well as the countless number of companies F&E has helped promote and sell their products.

The company is now evolving through a period of growth and development to broaden its portfolio and further strengthen its team of highly-skilled individuals. It remains one of the most influential event organisers of its generation.

With offices in Dubai and the UK, the company has an expanding team of skilled and dedicated exhibition professionals, with an additional established international network of sales agents and associates.

F&E recently became a member of the Tarsus Group plc which was founded, and listed on the London Stock Exchange, in 1998. With offices in the UK (London), USA (Milwaukee), France (Paris), Germany (Dûsseldorf) and China (Shanghai), the international business-to-business media group has interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media.

About F&E Aerospace:
F&E Aerospace is a division of Fairs & Exhibitions who are one of the most influential names in the aerospace industry's events sector having conceptualized the Dubai Airshow and organised it, in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, since its inception in 1989.

F&E Aerospace, which maintains offices in London and Dubai, has widespread and long-standing relationships with the global aerospace industry, an in-depth knowledge of the industry it serves and a hard-earned reputation for delivering event excellence.

The company organises the Dubai Airshow, the 11th show in the series takes place 15-19 November 2009.  The 2009 show will be held at a brand new purpose built facility in Jebel Ali.  The exhibition features an extensive programme of civil and military industry.  The last show in 2007 reached a world record breaking order book of $155 billion and saw 850 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors attend the event.

Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) is a new event emerging from F&E's dedicated Aerospace Division. It was held for the first time at the Dubai World Trade Centre in June 2008 and will service the region's rapidly developing commercial and business aviation fleets going forward.

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Middle East Exhibition & Conference is another event from F&E's growing aerospace portfolio. It is being organised in conjunction with AVIATION WEEK, which has an excellent track record of organising MRO events. The inaugural event will be held in the beginning of 2009 to cater to growing regional demand for MRO services.

Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS) is the latest event from F&E's Aerospace portfolio. Predominantly a conference with a supporting exhibition, ADTS will debut at the Airport Expo Dubai in March 2009. The event is dedicated to growing Middle East demand for both civil and military aerospace training, recruitment and simulation.

About MEBAA
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) began with just 16 founding members and today boasts a list of more than 150 with numbers increasing all the time. By 2012, it is expected that MEBAA membership will hit 300. MEBAA's mission as an industry forum is to take business aviation further up the economic and political agenda in the Middle East and to ensure it has a voice in the decision-making processes.

For more information visit www.mebaa.com

For further information:
Sam Dulka,
MCS/Action,
PO Box 20970,
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
fax: +9714 390 8161.
Email: sam.d @actionprgroup.com

Or visit MEBA online at: www.meba.aero

© Press Release 2008