The largest business aviation event in the Middle East, The MEBAA Show, has once again attracted the crème de la crème of the global business aviation industry with 452 exhibitors alongside some of the region’s biggest buyers.

H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan al Nahyan, Chairman, Presidential Flight, the Abu Dhabi based VVIP and VIP flight operator, was among the many regional VVIP visitors who took a tour of the MEBAA Show halls and examined some of the 34 aircraft on static display at the event.

Boeing Business Jets took advantage of the global gathering to reveal its BBJ 777X wide-body business aircraft, which breaks the record for the longest-range business jet – at 11,645 nautical miles (21,570 kms) – which means it can circumnavigate the globe with one refuel.

Bell Helicopters gave visitors their first glimpse of a production 505 at the static display area, alongside its 429 twin and 505 light single models at the show. UAE-based EDIC Horizon Flight Training Academy signed an agreement with Bell - which has some 800 aircraft flying in the region - for two 429s at the MEBAA Show.

Looking to gain a foothold in the world’s fastest growing business aviation market, some 24 companies attended the biennial event for the first time, from across the region and the world.

Wayne Schmitz, President of Gulf State Aviation, revealed his company had seen some great success during the three-day event. The full-service aviation company which specialises in aircraft sales, acquisitions and purchases, has a presence in Texas and Dubai. Schmitz said: “We have had a couple of customers come by our stand with very specific requirements which we will be delighted to fulfil.”

He said Gulf State can be seen as a ‘matchmaking’ service for the business aviation sector, pairing buyers and sellers and sourcing aircraft for specific buyers with specific needs – from 747s to refurbished Black Hawk military helicopters.

Renowned engine builder Pratt & Whitney’s senior field support representative, Stephan Claase said he is already looking forward to the next edition of the MEBAA Show.

“We will always support the MEBAA Show, with such quality visitors. We have more than 1000 customers in the region, and so simply must attend. The 2020 edition might see a very different atmosphere, with the Expo 2020 site just next doors,” he said.

Zane Leake, Sales VP of Texas-headquartered Signature Plating, another first-time exhibitor, said his company had met some high-quality visitors with a clear interest in his company’s high end, bespoke finishes. “We provide a range of plating with different finishes for clients who want to create a unique look for their aircraft. Anything is possible. Our HNWI client base spends a lot of money on their aircraft, and enjoy the customisation we offer to make the interiors really stand out. We use artists, not technicians, and our plating is all hand-crafted.”

According to MEBAA Market Insights, provided by market research partner WingX, the UAE business jet market comprises 64% heavy jets, 32% ultra-long range jets and 4% midsize jets. Bombardier aircraft dominate the local market, with 40% of the UAE’s business jets, followed by Gulfstream with 23.5%, Dassault with 13% and Embraer with 10.8% market share.

Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) said: “Resilience is the key word this year – we are seeing steady growth and positive signs despite a global slowdown and regional political issues. Exhibitors this year have reported high quality, serious visitors and this is the best possible outcome MEBAA can wish for. The Middle East is now a maturing region in terms of business aviation, and while we have a long way to go, geographically, this area will always have a vital, strategic role to play in the global business aviation arena.”

-Ends-

For Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East, contact: Kate McGinley, PR Manager – T: +971 4603 3300 E: kate.mcginley@dubai.aero 

About MEBAA

The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), is the official representative of the business aviation industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. MEBAA is a non-profit association and a member of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), 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 260 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.  Events hosted by MEBAA include:

MEBAA Conferences feature experts from across the Middle East and North Africa to address issues related to specific areas of business aviation and communicate the effect they impose on the industry.

The MEBAA Show at DWC, Airshow Site, from 10-12 December 2018 and the MEBAA Show Morocco at Marrakech Menara Airport from 25-26 September 2019. Exhibiting at MEBAA Shows provides the ideal platform to reach key business contacts and build relationships for anyone involved in chartering, leasing, selling, purchasing, operating and servicing business and VIP jets. In addition to the exhibition, these shows feature a static display of the latest business aircraft.

For more information, please visit MEBAA’s website on www.mebaa.com 

© Press Release 2018

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.