MEBA 2008 to more than double in size

And F&E Aerospace, the company behind the UAE-based event, has announced that MEBA's 2008 outing, which will take place at the Dubai Airport Expo from the 16-18th November, will more than double in size from last year, with exhibitor numbers, countries represented, visitor attendance and aircraft on display all significantly up.

'We recently returned from EBACE - Europe's stalwart event for the business aviation community - where interest in MEBA was phenomenal. Company sign-up for MEBA was given a major boost from the continent's business aviation players there and we expect many new exhibitors to make their Middle East debut this year,' said Alison Weller, Director, F&E Aerospace - the company behind many of the region's top aerospace exhibitions including AIME 2008 and the Dubai Airshow.

'All eyes are on the Middle East market at the moment… and for good reason. The global business aviation sector is undergoing some interesting transformations as it becomes more diverse in terms of geographic distribution and breadth of aircraft capability available. The Middle East, which is reaping the rewards of rising oil prices and increased liquidity, is emerging as one of the most important and fastest growing business aviation markets found anywhere. A fact reflected by the increased sign-up for MEBA 2008.'

To date, 150 companies from 22 countries have signed-up for the show - up from 90 in 2007 - with this number expected to rise to 200 by the time the exhibition kicks off.

Visitor numbers are also tipped to smash last year's record with more than 5,000 expected to attend the three day event - an increase of over 50%.

In addition, the show will display up to 70 aircraft on the dedicated static park, covering a wide-range of models from Dassault, Gulfstream, Embraer, Boeing, Cessna, Bombardier, Hawker Beechcraft and Airbus to name a few.

The Eclipse 500 will be on the MEBA static for the first time. Cessna will be bringing a full scale mock-up of their new Columbus (Large Cabin Concept) and Embraer will be displaying a full scale mock-up of the Lineage 1000.

There has also been a suggestion that Gulfstream may bring the full scale mock-up of the brand new G650.

'We are seeing increases across the board for this year's event. What is extremely promising is the number of new-to-market exhibitors who will be attending for the first time, as well as the countries they represent. We will definitely see increased exhibitor participation from The Americas, Scandinavia and Asia,' said Weller.

Global and regional business aviation demand is being fuelled by the business community's increasing recognition of the value of using business jets as a means of enhancing productivity.

And according to industry sources, of the 39,000 new business aircraft entering the global market by 2027, 40% are expected to be in the medium or large business jet category, roughly translating to nearly 16,000 aircraft or 75% of the total order worth.

And this growth is not lost on MEBA's organisers, who have completely sold out the original space months ahead of the show opening, and have expanded into a second hall at the venue.

'Currently, we are seeing a 40% annual increase in the Middle East's business aviation sector, which should continue for the next five years. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are driving the momentum here, but the emerging markets of China and India should also record similar growth. This makes this part of the world very interesting indeed for the industry,' added Weller.

'The emergence of MEBA as one of the world's top three business aviation shows is another feather in the cap for Dubai's status as the region's premier aerospace hub. The hosting of such a high-level, interactive sales and discussion platform will be a key driver in the development of the regional industry going forward and will greatly benefit its standing on the world-wide stage.'

MEBA, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Emirates Airline Group, is organised by F&E Aerospace on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA).