MEBAA Conference in Jeddah highlights industry opportunities

The MEBAA Conference Jeddah took place 04.09.18. at the Jeddah Hilton, and brought together the business aviation industry from the region. Speaking at the event, Captain Bander Khaldi, managing director, National Aviation Academy, said that Saudi Arabia will require 8,800 pilots and 11,700 technicians by 2024 due to attrition replacement and fleet growth. During his presentation, he described the development plans for the academy, with a focus on how it will aim to meet the country's need.

This followed a keynote speech from Dr Sami Alsrisari, deputy assistant president, aviation standards and director, safety and risk, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). “It's an honour to be part of the MEBAA Conference Jeddah.” Alsrisari said. “With the current trends in the business aviation industry, knowledge sharing among leaders and peers really helps to build a competitive advantage. The MEBAA Conference facilitates this and, as one of the prominent voices on innovation in the region, GACA is proud to be involved.”

“The MEBAA Conferences are an integral part of our mission to drive business aviation forward in the MENA region,” says Ali Alnaqbi, founding and executive chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). “Over the years the conferences have grown and continue to attract the industry's key players, as speakers, panellists and of course attendees. The MEBAA Conference Jeddah this year has demonstrated that and the knowledge shared will enable our attendees to add value to their own businesses.”

Also speaking at the event was Captain Mohammed Al Subaiei, director, Saudi Aramco's local workforce development department, who agreed the event has become an important part of the business aviation landscape. “Over the past few years I have seen the MEBAA mission evolve and expand beyond business aircraft operations to include supporting and advocating aviation safety.” He continued, “MEBAA is taking the lead to address the demand to train and qualify the next-generation aviation workforce for business aviation.”

148 business aviation professionals attended the MEBAA Conference Jeddah, hearing presentations and panel discussions on financing, pilot regulations and innovation, and taking part in interactive round tables.

MEBAA Conferences have a well earned reputation for being the industry standard in topical discussions and thought leadership, and will continue with the MEBAA Conference Dubai, taking place during the MEBAA Show 2018 in December and the MEBAA Conference Morocco in 2019.