A total of more than $1.5bn worth of deals were announced at the three-day MEBA 2008 event while dozens of partnerships were struck between Western and Middle Eastern companies, as many looked to secure their financial security going forward.
And giving the regional market a clean bill of health, Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman, Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the organisation behind MEBA, said he was now looking forward to the 2010 edition of the show.
"This event was perfect, It was three times as big as 2007 and exhibitors have told me that they had direct access to the people they needed to do business with. After all the deals and announcements we have seen at MEBA 2008, we can be assured that the market is growing and that there is plenty of confidence out there," he said from Dubai Airport Expo yesterday.
The gains made during this year's event would provide a solid platform for 2010, Al Naqbi said, "The outlook for MEBA is great. We will be relocating to the purpose-built site at Dubai World Central for the next edition and are very confident that this event's momentum will carry on so that in two years' time we will see an even bigger and better show."
In one of MEBA's final announcements, Cessna agent, Captain Saad Wallan of Wallan Aviation, confirmed sales of three Cessna Columbus, a Cessna Citation, a Cessna Caravan and two used Cessna CJs worth $90m, before the close of the event.
Trevor Esling, Cessna's Vice President, International Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said his company had been targeting the lucrative Middle East market since the early 1990s.
"The Middle East is a growing market for us and our class of jets. We know that the Middle East market is very much a see it, touch it, feel it market and MEBA, which is well organised, with excellent infrastructure and great access for a big event, allows us to establish relationships on a face-to-face basis with potential customers,"added Trevor Esling.
More good news came from Project Phoenix and its distributor Action Aviation, after Egyptian film star and producer, Yousef Mansour, became the company's first Middle Eastern customer. The martial arts expert closed a deal at MEBA 2008 on a Phoenix CRJ which will be used to fly Mansour and his crews on location.
Alison Weller, Director, F&E Aerospace, the company which organised MEBA 2008 on behalf of MEBAA, said the robust state of the business aviation market in the Middle East would help the industry grow in the future.
"What this event has demonstrated more than ever is that business aviation is a fast-moving industry and private charters are increasingly being considered as convenient and cost-effective alternatives for busy executives for whom time is money. The fact that so many major announcements have come out of MEBA 2008 and that so many companies are pursuing international tie-ups implies that firms have noted this increasing demand and are responding to it in a confident manner. That, we believe, is very good news,"she said.
MEBA 2008 was triple the size of the 2007 edition and showcased more than 70 aircraft worth $1.6bn on its dedicated static park. Two hundred and fifty exhibitors from 30 countries attended the three day event, with visitor numbers expected to top 5,000.
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MEBA 2008 ends on a high with $90m Cessna deal
- United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, November 18 - 2008 at 15:40
- PRESS RELEASE
The global economy may be facing turbulent times in the months ahead but as the Middle East Business Aviation 2008 (MEBA) show signed off yesterday (Tuesday) with new orders worth $90m, industry insiders predicted the executive charter industry should fly through the financial storm.
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About Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E):F&E has been delivering world class events for 50 years. The company now creates and organises international trade events for business and consumers from all over the world. Since the mid 1970s the company has focused on events in the rapidly developing West Asia and Middle East, specifically the Gulf region in Dubai, UAE, one of today's most vibrant trading zones with the world's fastest growing economy.
F&E's strengths, skills and experience are in sales, marketing, event management, venue development and public relations. The company prioritises quality, value and excellence for all its shows, delivering genuine and cost-effective business opportunities for its clients.
The Executive Board of F&E has over 100 years combined experience in the business of creating, launching and organising events and enjoys the close support of many government bodies, trade associations and leading business organisations, as well as the countless number of companies F&E has helped promote and sell their products.
The company is now evolving through a period of growth and development to broaden its portfolio and further strengthen its team of highly-skilled individuals. It remains one of the most influential event organisers of its generation.
With offices in Dubai and the UK, the company has an expanding team of skilled and dedicated exhibition professionals, with an additional established international network of sales agents and associates.
F&E recently became a member of the Tarsus Group plc which was founded, and listed on the London Stock Exchange, in 1998. With offices in the UK (London), USA (Milwaukee), France (Paris), Germany (Dûsseldorf) and China (Shanghai), the international business-to-business media group has interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media.
About F&E Aerospace:
F&E Aerospace is a division of Fairs & Exhibitions who are one of the most influential names in the aerospace industry's events sector having conceptualized the Dubai Airshow and organised it, in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, since its inception in 1989.
F&E Aerospace, which maintains offices in London and Dubai, has widespread and long-standing relationships with the global aerospace industry, an in-depth knowledge of the industry it serves and a hard-earned reputation for delivering event excellence.
The company organises the Dubai Airshow, the 11th show in the series takes place 15-19 November 2009. The 2009 show will be held at a brand new purpose built facility in Jebel Ali. The exhibition features an extensive programme of civil and military industry. The last show in 2007 reached a world record breaking order book of $155 billion and saw 850 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors attend the event.
Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) is a new event emerging from F&E's dedicated Aerospace Division. It was held for the first time at the Dubai World Trade Centre in June 2008 and will service the region's rapidly developing commercial and business aviation fleets going forward.
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Middle East Exhibition & Conference is another event from F&E's growing aerospace portfolio. It is being organised in conjunction with AVIATION WEEK, which has an excellent track record of organising MRO events. The inaugural event will be held in the beginning of 2009 to cater to growing regional demand for MRO services.
Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS) is the latest event from F&E's Aerospace portfolio. Predominantly a conference with a supporting exhibition, ADTS will debut at the Airport Expo Dubai in March 2009. The event is dedicated to growing Middle East demand for both civil and military aerospace training, recruitment and simulation
About MEBAA:
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) began with just 16 founding members and today boasts a list of more than 150 with numbers increasing all the time. By 2012, it is expected that MEBAA membership will hit 300. MEBAA's mission as an industry forum is to take business aviation further up the economic and political agenda in the Middle East and to ensure it has a voice in the decision-making processes.
For more information, kindly contact:
Sam Dulka
MCS/Action
PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +9714 390 2960
Fax: +9714 390 8161
Posted by Rana MesbahTuesday, November 18 - 2008 at 15:40 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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