MEBAC: Challenging the Thinking, Practices and Business Models of MidEast BizAv
May 17 and 18, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), in partnership with Fleming Gulf, held a Middle East Business Aviation Conference (MEBAC) in Abu Dhabi.
The aim was to hold open discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing business aviation in the Middle East and North African Region, and as Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman MBAA, has suggested, one might expect upwards of two to three conferences like this – large group sessions, no exhibitors – held throughout the year in various locations.
One thing was clear early on in the conference, Abu Dhabi is truly taking business aviation seriously. As Mohammed Al Bulooki, Vice President, Al Bateen Executive Airport, explained, over the next ten years, the Abu Dhabi government has committed to investing $500 billion+ in new infrastructure for the Emirate, a nice chunk of which is designated to turning Al Bateen into a “7-star” business aviation-only airport to rival – in the words of Al Bulooki – TAG Farnborough. With the Middle East and Africa business aircraft fleet forecast to grow to 1,100 aircraft over the coming decade, Al Bateen aims to position itself as the airport of choice in the UAE and as an example for potential dedicated airfields in the region. By this September, Al Bateen expects that its ILS will be completed and that the airport to be IFR-certified. By December 2011, if not sooner, they also expect all current military operations to be moved out of the airport. And they are working hard to turn the brown-walled military and cargo-ready site into a luxurious executive aircraft local complete with facilities such as a pharmacy, shops, dining areas, etc to serve passengers and those working at the airport.
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Middle East Corporate travel: business case & opportunities
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“Today there are over 60 to 70 business jets parked at Dubai International Airport, and 20 at Abu Dhabi International. Once Al Bateen has IFR certification, we imagine to see these aircraft move to it. Over the next three years, we expect to have 7,000+ movements,” explained Al Bulooki.
Khadar Mattar, Regional Vice President EMEA, Bombardier Aerospace was likewise bullish on the region. With a forecasted GDP growth of +4.2% in 2010 and the wealth of High Net Worth Individuals forecasted to grow 5.7% between 2008 and 2013, the Middle East is an important growth market alongside China and India, Mattar declared. In particular he cited the UAE (particularly Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia and Turkey as “countries to watch” in terms of growth potential. “The region does have its challenges however,” he explained. “Among them are landing and over-flight approvals, access to airports, passport control, financing, crew availability and the limited number of service centers.”
According to data provided by Karim Hijazi, Managing Director of Air Synapsis and chiefly responsible for sales of the Avanti II in the region, the top five countries in terms of percentage of business aircraft movements in the Middle East breakdown as: 36.4% Dubai, 12.3% Riyadh, 8.7% Beirut, 7.55% Jeddah and 6.35% in Abu Dhabi. Hijazi says the solution for encouraging growth within the region lies in three things: effectively demonstrating cost-efficiency, improving cost transparency and optimizing accessibility by providing “airline-like customer interactions.”
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