The MEBAA Show has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of business aviation with the return of Futures Day when the event takes place in Dubai next month.

Among the speakers will be representatives from industry giants Boeing and Airbus, who will be giving career advice to the students in attendance.

Organised biannually by the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the MEBAA Show will be held at DWC, Airshow Site, from December 6 to 8.

The show comes at a time business aviation is growing substantially in the Middle East region, with predictions that the number of private aircraft registered in the region will reach 1,200 by 2020, and the number of movements to exceed 175,000 in the same time frame.

This growth will in turn drive demand for infrastructure and support within the industry, increasing demand for engineers, MRO services, FBO operators and flight crews including pilots. In order to facilitate this growth, these sectors must keep pace with the levels of business aviation at the same time. Futures Day allows for the business aviation professionals of the future to learn about career opportunities and hear inspiring anecdotes from those already established in the industry. 

As many as 500 students are likely to attend the day-long programme, taking place on the last day of the show, to hear from speeches from Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman of MEBAA, plus XJet, as well as Boeing and Airbus.

In addition, many of the 460 exhibitors at the show will invite the students onto their stands, to learn more about the individual company, its programs and the associated career opportunities. Students will also be able to visit the static display and view some of the latest business aircraft up close.

“The future is very exciting for the business aviation industry,” Al Naqbi confirmed. “The career opportunities for the new generation are wide-ranging, and as the largest gathering of business aviation professionals in the region, the MEBAA Show is the ideal place to introduce students to the potential opportunities.”

He continues: “The association is committed to promoting and supporting the industry in the region, and an extremely important part of this in ensuring it continues to grow into the future. Futures Day is a key part of creating the links between the industry and the students that will one day become its key players.”

Futures Day will take place on December 8, the final day of the show.

The MEBAA show is expecting 460 exhibitors and over 9000 visitors during its three-day run. 

Established in 2006, MEBAA is the official representative of the business aviation industry in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and is a member of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).