The MEBAA Show opens in Dubai today with 460 exhibitors representing the breadth of the business aviation industry from OEMs and equipment manufacturers to charter, carrier and management services.

The three-day show also features a display of 50 of the world’s best business jets.

Organised by the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) every two years, the 2016 edition is being held at the Airshow site in Dubai South (formerly Dubai World Central).

The show follows yesterday’s MEBAA Conference in Dubai, which discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the business aviation industry in the region. Over 300 delegates met to hear keynote speeches and take part in interactive question and answer panels, led by the industry’s key leadership.

“The Conference in Dubai has been a great success,” says Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman of MEBAA. “The speeches and discussions have been informative and useful to all those attending. It’s fantastic to see the business aviation industry in the region coming together to discuss key issues, and is an important part of what MEBAA stands for.”

Commenting on the exhibition, he continued:  “The 2016 edition looks set to be very successful. We are expecting an increased number of visitors and exhibitors, including new ones from abroad and the UAE.

A large number of niche services are also present at the show, with a number of exhibitors offering catering options, from Aerolux offering inflight coffee machines to Executive Gourmet by Gate Gourmet, which provides complete catering solutions to business and private aviation customers. 

Business aircraft interiors are also a focal point of many exhibitors, with design and installation offered by Asia-based Haeco Private Solutions, Delta Interiors from Italy and first-time exhibitor Greenline Interiors, to name a few. 

In addition, the MEBAA show will feature an International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) panel led by Director General Kurt Edwards. This panel will discuss opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provide invaluable insights into the business aviation industry.

The static display features up to 50 of the industry’s most impressive business jets, including a Gulfstream G650ER from Qatar Executive, a Dassault Falcon 8X from Dassault Aviation and several Boeing Business Jets.

Futures Day will again take place on the final day of the show, with over 500 students from local universities invited to hear from business industry aviation leaders from XJet, Boeing and Airbus, plus MEBAA. 

With the industry predicted to grow to be worth $1.2 billion by 2020, the resulting demand for skilled staff to support this growth covers all facets of the industry, from engineers and MRO services to FBO operators and flight crews including pilots.

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 IBAC. MEBAA is a non-profit association established in 2006 with the mission to provide a platform for members of the business aviation industry in the region to gather, understand and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry.

Today, MEBAA represents over 255 companies and provides a number of products and services to its members, including the MAIS (MEBAA Aviation Insurance Scheme) insurance scheme for operators. In addition to various networking events, its hosts the MEBAA Show and MEBAA Show Morocco, which take place biennially, in alternate years. 

The MEBA show is open from 11 am to 6 pm on all three days.