BUSINESS AVIATION DESCENDING INTO DUBAI

MEBAA Show and MEBAA Conference Dubai 

The opening of the eighth MEBAA Show at DWC, Airshow Site marks the culmination of two years of anticipation from the business aviation community. Featuring the MEBAA Conference Dubai, which takes place on days two and three of the show, the return of the biennial event will attract the key global players in business aviation to the UAE.

Business aviation across the Middle East is booming, making it an attractive market for the industry. MEBAA Show provides the ideal platform for business between exhibitors and attendees. “Face-to-face is still the premier method of doing business in the region,” says Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). “The MEBAA Show is the largest business aviation event in the Middle East and North Africa, making it the place to be every two years for the global industry.”

This is illustrated by the exhibitors attending the event this year, many of whom come from outside the region to be part of the MEBAA Show 2018. Some are travelling from as far as North America: Bombardier and Gulfstream will be joined by new companies keen to increase their share of the lucrative market in the region including Jetcraft and Aloft. Europe is also heavily represented, with companies such as Dassault from France, Harrods Aviation from the UK and new exhibitors for 2018 including Georgios K Georgiou from Cyprus and Vistajet from the UK.

The Middle East region itself represents the largest number of MEBAA Show exhibitors with companies such as JP Jets from Jordan and first time exhibitor Ajwa Aviation from Saudi Arabia. There is also a large local contingent from the UAE including Online Global Trip Support, who will be using the show as a platform to launch its new unique offering to the market, plus Falcon Aviation Services, Execujet and many more.

Boeing Business Jets’ B787-8 Dreamliner will be making its first appearance at the MEBAA Show, while the Hondajet will return to the static display after a successful inaugural appearance in the Middle East at the 2016 show. 

Key industry leaders will be speaking at the MEBAA Conference, across a wide range of topics analysing the latest trends and regulations in the market and the future of private aircraft design. There will also be a focus on innovation and how new technologies affect the industry, with blockchain and cyber security assessed in detail. The agenda includes specific UAE focused sessions in addition to in depth analysis of the global market.

The two-day line up features keynote presentations from H.E. Jamal Al-Hai, Deputy CEO of Dubai Airports and Badr Al-Olama, Head of Aerospace at Mubadala Investment Company. Other speakers include Steve Cass, Vice President, Sales Development and Support, Gulfstream, Engin Basyurt, Director, Satcom Direct and Tobias Laps, Senior Vice President, Comlux.

“I am looking forward to bringing the MEBAA Show and MEBAA Conference Dubai together,” Alnaqbi continued. “There has always been a large crossover in terms of attendance with conference speakers and delegates expressing interest in visiting the show to interact with exhibitors. I have no doubt that holding them in the same venue will increase the value to all involved, and reinforce the MEBAA Show as the Middle East’s premier business aviation destination.”

The full agenda for the MEBAA Conference Dubai is available on mebaaconference.com and information about the show including the exhibitor and aircraft lists can be found on mebaa.aero, where visitors can also register to attend both.