Increased International Interest To Spur Record Deals At Meba 2008

Largest-ever Show Recognised Globally as Key Business Aviation Event

Deals at next week's Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show - the region's leading B2B exhibition for the business aviation sector - are expected to smash last year's $907m record as heavyweight global investors vie for a slice of the region's burgeoning charter market.
With the regional sector alone expected to be worth US$1 billion by 2012 - forecasts predict 15 per cent annual growth rates for at least the next five years - global players from 29 countries are converging on the three-day show at Dubai Airport Expo from November 16-18th to cash in on the booming Middle Eastern market.
Event organisers, F&E Aerospace, have revealed the event is showing increases of more than 150 per cent in pre-show exhibitor and visitor registrations, with MEBA 2008's 5,000 expected visitors and 250 exhibitors from Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East tripling its size since the last show in 2007.
"MEBA has achieved global prominence as a key fixture on the international aerospace events calendar. It is creating an even louder buzz this year as the Middle East achieves greater significance for investors in light of the uncertain global climate elsewhere," said Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) - the industry body behind MEBA.
"Since MEBA's inception three years ago, the growth we have seen is testament to the global market's eagerness to look to the regional business aviation market for tangible business opportunities."
And Al Naqbi believes MEBA provides the perfect platform for companies to forge deals and debate the issues affecting the industry both worldwide and locally. In addition, he said that the huge increase in the number of exhibitors from the established western markets is a key indicator of emerging trends within the industry.
"MEBA provides these international players with a unique, one-stop-setting to meet with the region’s leading aerospace decision makers and buyers, and vice versa, as they seek increased business in-roads here," said Al Naqbi.
"The monolithic markets of Europe and the US are turning their attentions to the Middle East. The region continues to defy global trends in posting positive growth figures. This is indicative of how the aerospace market is shifting; these are very exciting times."
On a macro scale, the global aviation market is predicted to expand by 39,000 aircraft over the next 20 years, with MEBA's aircraft on display demonstrating the breadth of choice available to investors.
Visitors and exhibitors will be able to see over 60 aircraft on MEBA's dedicated static park. And with many being showcased in the Middle East for the first time, the wide-range of models come from the world's most respected manufacturers, such as Dassault, Gulfstream, Embraer, Boeing, Cessna, Bombardier, Hawker Beechcraft and Airbus.
At a regional level, government investment in the industry is facilitating growth, with state-of-the-art Fixed Base Operations (FBOs) under construction or already well-established throughout the Gulf region - most notably in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
In a bid to increase the UAE's market share, significant resources have been pumped into the infrastructure. Facilities are under development at Dubai World Central (DWC), the multi-billion dollar airport and urban development near Jebel Ali, and Al Bateen - Abu Dhabi Airports Company's (ADAC) $54.4m dedicated executive and charter aviation hub.
"Across the region, large investments demonstrate both the confidence felt in the Middle Eastern business aviation market and the commitment from both governments and private investors to develop a market that continually performs to the highest possible standards," said Virginia Kern, Chairman of F&E. "Regional industry players and, increasingly, consumers, are acknowledging executive air travel only reinforces the overall market; private aviation is now cost-effective."
MEBA is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of Emirates Group.