Important boost for business aviation in MENA

The third edition of the MEBAA Show Morocco was opened today by HE Mr. Mohammed Sajid, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy, Morocco. Upon officially opening the event, the Minister toured some of the exhibitor stands with Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) and Zouhair El Aoufir, CEO of Office National des Aeroports (ONDA).

The three VIPs toured some of the exhibits including Swissport Aviation, Sarah Airways and AMAC Aerospace Switzerland AG. Exhibitors were pleased to have the opportunity to interact with the minister as well as the opportunity to promote their businesses.

“We are pleased to see the exhibitors from Morocco and further afield,” said Alnaqbi. “MEBAA Show Morocco provides a platform for business aviation to grow as the industry allowing key players to benefit from the country’s growing industry.”
 
Due to its strategic location between Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of Africa, Morocco is seeing an increasing amount of business jet movements. The industry also benefits from government support, actively targeting and attracting the aerospace and business aviation industry through its Vision 2020. In addition, a new business airport will open in the country within the next few years.

ONDA reports that the country’s airports manage 50% of North Africa’s business jet movements.  1,200 business aircraft are expected to make 175,000 individual aircraft movements by 2020 in MENA, demonstrating growth opportunities across the whole supply chain.

“ONDA is pleased to support the MEBAA Show Morocco as it promotes and supports business aviation,” Zouhair El Aoufir commented. “The show aligns with our development programmes to encourage growth in business aviation”

The next business aviation event from MEBAA will be the MEBAA Show 2020, taking place 8-10 December at DWC, Airshow Site in Dubai.