Saudi Arabia major driver in Gulf business aviation boom

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It is the largest market in the region, including North Africa, and has more than 160 private and publicly owned aircraft.

Speaking at a press conference in Jeddah yesterday, Ali Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), said Saudi Arabia currently accounts for 50% of the region's business aviation and the figure is expected to double within the next five years.

'Business aviation in the Middle East will be worth around US $800 million by 2012 - double its current level as people increasingly turn to 'aviation-on-demand' for privacy, safety and corporate efficiency,' said Al Naqbi.

'Business aviation's share of the region's overall aviation market will grow during the same period from its current 20% to 40%. The sector is currently producing regional growth of around 11% per annum.'

Al Naqbi was speaking in advance of this month's Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference and exhibition being held at the Airport Expo Dubai over January 31 and February 1.

'Saudi Arabia will have a strong presence at the event for which the Kingdom's National Air Services (NAS), a founder member of MEBAA, is a platinum sponsor.'

NAS is a private Riyadh-based aviation company.

MEBA is being organized by Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), the name behind the Dubai Airshow, in partnership with MEBAA. The event - the only dedicated regional forum for the business aviation sector - has evolved from a one-day conference held alongside the Dubai Airshow in 2005 to a two-day conference and exhibition with a static park for aircraft display.

'Response has been outstanding,' said Alison Weller, Aerospace Director, F&E. 'To date we have 80 exhibitors from 18 nations, around 30 aircraft are due on display, while visitor pre-registrations have been received from 31 countries.

'We anticipate a significant visitor and delegate turnout from Saudi Arabia, with its ever-growing corporate base, which is looking to improve its air transportation services.

'The performance of NAS, which recently announced it will invest US $2 billion in fleet expansion, including the purchase of 75 new aircraft by 2010, is a key indicator to the opportunities emerging from the de-regulation of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector.'

According to F&E, the MEBA event is already staking a claim as one of the world's leading business aviation events featuring some of the industry's biggest names including mainframe manufacturers Bombardier, Airbus, Boeing Business Jets, Cessna, Embraer, Gulfstream and Dassault.

'There has been intense demand from manufacturers, operators, facilities and service providers all lured by the Middle East's increasing status as one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets,' explained Weller.

MEBA's static park will display a range of aircraft from single-engined aircraft to ultra-long-range corporate jets which will be used to conduct customer tours and demonstration flights.

Aircraft registered for show include: the Airbus A320 single aisle jetliner; the Boeing Business Jet, a Boeing 767 belonging to Bexair of Bahrain, a Boeing Business Jet and an Avro RJ85 belonging to Royal Jet of Abu Dhabi; Bombardier's Global 5000, Learjet 60, Challenger 605 and Challenger 850; a range of Cessna aircraft including its single-engine version, top-of-the-line Grand Caravan, four Citations and its mid-size Sovereign; Dassault's long-range Falcon 900EX; a Dassault Falcon 20 belonging to Jet Innovations and an ultra-long-range Global Express from TAG Aeronautics; Brazil's Embraer super mid-sized Legacy; three Gulfstreams - the G550, G200 and G150; a Raytheon Beechcraft and Hawker belonging to Elite Jets.

'The exhibition will take up the entire Central Hall at Airport Expo Dubai with local, regional and international exhibitors, many of which have also booked hospitality chalets to entertain their VVIP guests,' explained Weller. 'The chalets look out directly onto the static park to give guests the opportunity of viewing the aircraft.'

Meanwhile the MEBA conference programme is due to explore some of the hottest topics facing the industry regionally. Topics will include the emergence of the very light jets which herald a new era in aircraft and engine technology, pilot provisions and civil aviation criteria for business aircraft training in the GCC and Middle East.

'What the growth in regional business aviation holds out is immense opportunities for employment of GCC nationals with the right training and backing,' said Weller.

While in Saudi Arabia, MEBAA is hoping to recruit additional members from the Kingdom to its growing portfolio - expected to reach the 300 mark by 2012.

'Currently MEBAA has only two members from Saudi Arabia - National Air Services and Wallan Aviation - we are eager to double that number by the end of MEBA,' added Al Naqbi.

'The formation of MEBAA is in line with a global trend of major economic centres having associations to serve their respective business aviation communities. Given the size of Saudi Arabia's aviation industry it is a business imperative that it be well represented within the Association's membership.'

And the growth of business aviation throughout the region is holding out increased opportunities for a wide range of suppliers according to Abdulkhalig Al-Ghamdi, Director, Business Development-Military Programs of Riyadh's Alsalam Aircraft Company.

'Though the immediate impact will be on sale of mainframes and fleet deployment, the long-term benefits will be seen across a range of suppliers including maintenance, repair and overhaul, and electronics and avionics supply. This is now a sector no-one can afford to overlook,' said Al-Ghamdi.

Alsalam has extensive experience in the refurbishment of customised executive aircraft interiors and offers comprehensive state-of-the-art interior design, engineering services, fabrication, and the manufacture and installation of exclusive VIP aircraft interiors, all fully compliant with the requirements of airworthiness authorities such as the U.S. FAA.