The 2018 edition of the show attracted 452 exhibitors from the global business aviation industry alongside some of the region’s biggest buyers, with business taking place up until closing on the final day of the event.
Khaled Shurbaji, CEO of Success Aviation, said: “Dubai is the hub for not only the Middle East but between all of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. MEBAA Show is actually a very good chance for everyone to meet in one specific location where we can exchange our experience and expand our network.”
Highlights of the 2018 event included Boeing Business Jets announcing its BBJ 777X wide-body business aircraft to the industry and the static display including a Bell Helicopter production 505 and a BBJ 878-8 Dreamliner among many other leading jets. H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan al Nahyan, Chairman of Presidential Flight, the Abu Dhabi based VVIP and VIP flight operator, touring the show and in particular many of the aircraft on the static display.
“2018 was a fantastic year for the MEBAA Show,” said Ali Alnaqbi, founding & executive chairman of MEBAA. “Expectations are high for 2020 but already the signs are there that the event will be bigger and better. With the business aviation industry booming in the region, new exhibitors keen to be part of the event and all eyes on Dubai for Expo 2020, there’s never been a better time for companies to be part of the event.”
It’s an opportunity many companies are keen to take advantage of, with industry leaders already solidifying and even increasing their presence. Among them are Embraer, GOGO Business Aviation, Gulf State Aviation and Boeing Business Jets.
“We have a very positive outlook for the region,” added Gregory Laxton, CEO of Boeing Business Jets. He continued, “29 percent of all Boeing Business and 52 percent of our widebody VIP airplanes come to this region. So this region is very important to us.”
“The business aviation market in the Middle East is predicted to be worth over $1 billion by 2020, and Bombardier predict 350 deliveries to the Middle East valued at $12 billion over the next 10 years” Alnaqbi continues. “When you consider the opportunities that will offer, it’s no wonder we are seeing such interest in the MEBAA Show 2020.”
Source: www.arabianaerospace.aero
