Dubai to host first Middle East Business Aviation meet today

And MEBA's organisers, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) say the future of the event looks highly promising following an encouraging reception from the global business aviation industry.

"Though a new initiative, we believe MEBA will be further developed and look forward to being able to announce plans for its expansion in the not too distant future,"

said Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E.

"As organisers of the Dubai air show, F&E has strong relationships with, and in-depth knowledge of, the international aerospace industry and this latest initiative is in line with our commitment to partner this dynamic industry which we serve - MEBA is an excellent case in point."

MEBA is being hosted by Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered international luxury VIP aircraft charter company and is held under the joint patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group, who will deliver the keynote address, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Royal Jet's Chairman and the UAE Minister For Public Works.

MEBA's speaker line-up includes operators, financiers, aviation lawyers and civil aviation officials. Speakers include: Chris Crum, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Jet; Jack Olcott, former President of the USA's National Business Aircraft Association ; Ali Al Naqbi, Director Finance & Administration, Amiri Flight UAE, Ian Clark, MD, Clark Ricketts of the UK; Richard Gaona of Airbus; John A. Sandwick, MD, Encore Management SA of Switzerland and a Board Member of BEXAIR; Dr. Claus Bauer, Vice President Completion, Lufthansa Technik AG of Germany and Anita Mehra Homayoun, Director, Marketing & Media Relations, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.

"We talked at length to the industry to discover its particular needs and concerns and the conference programme reflects the topics that all sides of the business equation - suppliers, operators and owners - wished to be explored," explained Kern.

"Topics to be examined include the ownership, financing and management options of business aviation, the issues impacting aircraft interiors and the civil aviation infrastructure required to service this growing sector."

MEBA was launched by F&E to examine the growing needs of the business jet sector, which has globally recorded a 40% increase in demand for private jets since September 11, 2001, and the specific needs of the Middle East where the business jet market is in bullish mood.