The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association’s (MEBAA) African business aviation show is to be held every two years following the success of the inaugural edition in Morocco.

Billed as the first business aviation show of its kind in the region, MEBAA Show Morocco, yesterday closed its doors on a high after a successful two-day run.

As many as 2,033 visitors flocked to Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca to view displays from the leading players in the business aviation market, from Aeroshell to XJet. 

Among the visitors was Sheikh Mohammed Al Mualla, who spent time viewing the aircraft on offer and touring the site with MEBAA Chairman Ali Al Naqbi.

Al Naqbi said: “We are pleased with the response and support that MEBAA Show Morocco has received from both exhibitors and visitors. The show has exceeded our expectations.

He continued: “I am thrilled to announce that after discussions with the Moroccan government, MEBAA Show Morocco will be a biennial show.”

The African business aviation market has been resilient through the global financial crisis and new aircraft sales fared better than in developed markets such as Europe and North America, according Africabusiness.com, stating that Africa’s business jet fleet has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

Exhibitors at the show were keen to benefit from the opportunities of this growing market and were pleased with the results.

A particular attraction of the static display were the Bombardier Global 6000 and the Gulfstream G550 aircraft, which drew crowds on both days. With visitors keen to see the aircraft on display up close, none of them were disappointed by the luxury cabin and impressive speed ability in the models on display.

Al Naqbi thanked all of those involved in making the show a success, saying: “The success of MEBAA Show Morocco really is a credit to everyone involved, in particular the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment Transport and Logistics, but also ONDA (Office National Des Aéroports), the DGCA ( Directorate General of Civil Aviation), VIP Jet and all of our sponsors.”

MEBAA Show Morocco was held under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and organised by F&E Aerospace on behalf of MEBAA. 

The next edition of the show will take place in 2017.

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). 

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 Mena region to gather, understand and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry.

As part of its current growth strategy, MEBAA seeks to implement operational safety and efficiency by providing best in-practice training, lectures and conferences, establishing codes of conduct, and providing industry data. 

Today, MEBAA represents over 240 companies within the Mena region and provides a number of products and services to its members, including the MEBAA Aviation Insurance Scheme (MAIS) insurance scheme for operators. In addition to various networking events, MEBAA hosts the MEBAA Show in Dubai, UAE, which ranks as the third largest business aviation show in the world.