Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of MEBAA with Kadri Muhiddin, Group Executive Chairman and CEO of AMAC Aerospace.
2019 Edition set to reflect industry frowth.
Business Aviation Flights to Africa were trending up by 8% in September 2018, according to WingX Business Aviation Monitor. The MEBAA Show Morocco returns to the Marrakech Menara Airport this year, 25-26 September 2019, to give the business aviation industry the opportunity to be part of this growing market.
One company set to take advantage of the opportunities offered is AMAC Aerospace, who committed to exhibiting at the MEBAA Show Morocco during the MEBAA Show 2018 in Dubai. Speaking at the time, Kadri Muhiddin, Group Executive Chairman and CEO of AMAC Aerospace, explained the decision to be part of the MEBAA Show Morocco this year. “The global business aviation market is a growing trend. Aircraft manufacturers are always updating their products making them bigger, faster, more comfortable, more economical and safer.”
Muhiddin continued, “Africa is a growing market and Morocco is a good launch pad for the North African side. It is still in its infancy if you compare it to Europe or the Middle East. Like aircraft manufacturers, like other MROs and completion centres, we will be exhibiting at MEBAA Show Morocco to demonstrate that business aviation is accessible – to open peoples’ eyes and educate them.”
Due to its strategic location between Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of Africa, Morocco is seeing an increasing amount of movements which also include flights servicing the South American market. A new business airport will open in the country within the next few years which will complement the new FBOs by Jetex and Swissport Executive Aviation opening later in 2019.
The number of business aircraft movements in the MENA region is predicted to reach 175,000 by 2020, while the number of registered aircraft is expected to increase to 1200. This sharp increase is attributable to the region’s thriving economies, notably Morocco and an expanding wealthy elite using business aircraft in increasing numbers.
The Moroccan government has recognised the potential for employment and development offered by the industry and is actively investing in creating an attractive environment for manufacturers to establish themselves in. The MEBAA Show Morocco has received government support, with HE Mr. Mohammed Sajid, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy saying in 2018 that the MEBAA Show Morocco plays an important part in giving the industry access to these opportunities.
This government support is another key attribute for exhibitors, as Muhiddin added, “Our clients at the moment are all government, state rulers and politicians, so Morocco will not be any different. It’s a continuation of a job that we have been doing for the last twenty years. We are in the industry to support the industry and its customers.”
MEBAA Show Morocco will help reinforce the importance of business aviation to local officials and prospective owners and operators, while also addressing transport issues faced by the region. The event will also feature the MEBAA Conference Morocco, featuring key business leaders and roundtables to promote discussion and share industry knowledge.
Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome AMAC as an exhibitor at the MEBAA Show Morocco 2019. The opportunities offered by the industry growth and government support make North Africa, and Morocco in particular, an attractive growth market for business aviation.”
Other industry names already committed to the MEBAA Show Morocco include Air Ocean Maroc, XJet and Milano Prime.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
