Early day MEBA reservations prompts floorplan and chalet line expansion

"Sales really took off following a successful push at last month's National Business Aviation Association event in Atlanta," explained Alison Weller, Director-Aerospace, F&E. "Major names are already on the floorplan and projections are that the show in November next year could see up to 50 aircraft on static display."

Recent major-name show signings include: Canada's TAG Aeronautics, which is the exclusive representative throughout the Arab League and Turkey for the Bombardier range of business jets; the UAE's flight services provider Palm Aviation; Switzerland's Jet Aviation business aviation provider and Jet manufacturers Embraer and Gulfstream, who have become platinum sponsors of the event.

The UAE's Prestige Jet has also taken up platinum sponsorship of MEBA while global fuel, lubricants and services provider Air BP has signed on as silver sponsor for MEBA 2008, which will run at the Airport Expo Dubai from November 16-18.

The recent signings add to an already healthy floorplan with reservations from Dubai World Central, the urban aviation community being built in Jebel Ali, Action Aviation, Finnair, Fokker Services, Bexair, Air Charter International, Execujet , Airbus and Boeing.

"In the space of only two events MEBA now ranks among the top three business aviation shows in the world with its key appeal being the scale and potential of the marketplace which analysts predict will be worth $800m by 2012 - that's double its current estimated value,"

explained Weller.

"The massive potential was underscored at this year's MEBA event which attained an impressive $907m on-site declared order book."

MEBA, which has the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates group, is organised by F&E on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). The event has evolved from a one-day conference in 2005 and, on its second showing this year attracted 90 exhibitors from 20 countries, had 31 aircraft on display and an industry-only visitor turnout of 2,400.