The MEBAA Show was inaugurated this morning by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World.

Organised by the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation (MEBAA), the biennial event is being held at the Airshow site in Dubai South (Dubai World Central – DWC).

Sheikh Ahmed undertook a comprehensive tour encompassing a number of local and international exhibitors in both the main hall and on the static display, both local and international. 

One of the first stops on his lengthy tour was Rockwell Collins, the US-headquartered avionics electronics experts. Sheikh Ahmed paused to look at the company's cabin management system, Venue, flight support services and Pro Line Fusion, its cutting-edge flight deck solution.

Touring the hall, Sheikh Ahmed took the time to talk with exhibitors including CAE, Haeco Private Jets, Executive Gourmet, the US Pavilion, UAS, Harrods Aviation, SD Pro, Sea Prime, X Jet, DC Aviation, Execujet, and the GDC Group. 

On the static display, Sheikh Ahmed, accompanied by MEBAA Chairman Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi and a VIP entourage, entered a number of aircraft, including Qatar Executive's Gulfstream G650ER, one of the world’s fastest business jets, which can seat up to 13 passengers and fly non-stop from the Middle East to North America.

“The G650ER is one of the world’s most technologically advanced next-generation aircraft. For Qatar Executive and our customers it truly represents the future of private air travel, offering a superior flying experience with unrivalled design, comfort and class,” said Qatar Executive Executive Vice President Ettore Rodaro.

Dassault Aviation's large-cabin ultra-long range Falcon 8X was also graced with a visit from the entourage. Renaud Cloatre, International Sales Director, Middle East, said: “It's always good to have His Highness at the show, and a real honour to welcome him aboard the 8X. Sheikh Ahmed pays close attention to industry trends and technology, and we expect the 8X's debut at MEBAA to generate a great deal of interest this week.”

The MEBAA Show, which runs until Thursday, is the first and only show dedicated to business aviation in the Middle East. It is expected to attract more than 9,000 regional and global business aviation professionals this year, flocking to the Dubai site to visit some of the 460 exhibitors, network with industry peers and tour almost 45 aircraft on the site's static display. 

Sheikh Ahmed's thorough tour of the static display took in most of the aircraft exhibited, from the 6-9 seater single turbo prop Pilatus Aircraft PC 12 NG, to the enormous 77 seater Airbus 340, displayed by Saudi Arabia's Sky Prime. His aircraft tours included Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Embraer, Honda Aircraft Company and Textron Aviation.

“With more visitors, more exhibitors and more aircraft, the 2016 edition of the MEBAA Show looks set to be beneficial to all,” said Al Naqbi. “The show is the most established business aviation event in the Middle East and North Africa, and now the third biggest event of its kind globally.”