Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United Arab Emirates – will this year host the second Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) event following the highly successful debut of the convex at last year’s Dubai air show. And the event will now be run annually, being organised every two years in Dubai to coincide with the air show, and in other regional destinations in alternate years.

“MEBA is an initiative which immediately struck a chord with the business aviation community regionally and internationally and its development is in line with the evolution of this lucrative segment within the Middle East marketplace,” said Virginia Kern, Chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which organises both MEBA and the Dubai air show.

“We are now working to expand the event to ensure it provides two days of highly focussed and profitable conference discussion as well as exhibition opportunities on a static aircraft park.”

MEBA 2006, which will take place from December 3-4, was launched to the international community at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE), which is running in Geneva this week.

“We are working closely with leading members of all aspects of the business aviation sector – suppliers, operators and end-users - to develop a two day event which will help grow the market even further,” said Alison Weller, Director Aerospace, F&E.

“Business aviation is a corporate tool now coming into its own in the Middle East with the region witnessing an expanding base of business aircraft charter operators and most new civil aviation projects including significant facilities for executive jet services.”

Operators have attributed the sector growth in the regional marketplace to a higher demand for fast and private transportation and to the increasing number of high profile international events being hosted by the region.

A barometer to demand comes with the news that the Middle East is now responsible for almost a third of Boeing Business Jets’ worldwide market. At Dubai 2005, the ninth international aerospace exhibition, BBJ’s President Steve Hill described the region as “a huge market for us.”

Buoyant Middle East economies with increased revenues from all-time-high oil prices have increased the capital flow and many are now reviewing their private jet needs, opting for major overhauls, cabin interior make-overs or fleet replacements

In a message to delegates at the inaugural MEBA in Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group issued a bullish forecast for the future of business aviation in the Middle East. He anticipated the GCC’s private jet fleet alone would rise by 20% by the end of this year to around 300 aircraft.

“The region has always been a significant market for the business aviation segment but it really is now coming of age,” added Weller.