Middle East Business Aviation
Visitors to Middle East Business Aviation will be able to see around 50 aircraft up close many of which are in the region for the first time, from December 8-10 at Dubai World Central. The static display will include Gulfstream’s hotly anticipated G650 ER the world's fastest private jet, an aircraft which Gulfstream President Larry Flynn described as offering “a speed-and-range combination that makes it a game-changing aircraft.”
The G650 ER has a stated maximum range of 7500 nautical miles, top speed of Mach 0.925 and can seat up to 18 passengers. Gulfstream's line-up on the static display also includes the G550, named best-in-value among business aircraft owners, and the large cabin .80 mach G450.
Bombardier will be showcasing a Challenger 650 and Challenger 350, two business aviation stalwarts, bringing class-defining performance, state-of-the-art cabins and long range.
Meanwhile Airbus is bringing an Airbus ACJ319, operated by M-Jet, which is available as a fully customised version, and boasts the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet with intercontinental range.
Dassault will display both a Falcon 7X and a Falcon 900LX. The Falcon 7X has already made it into aviation history, being the first business aircraft to feature a digital flight control system while the 900LX long-range craft delivers 35-40 per cent more efficiency than other planes in its class, according to the company.
Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), says: “Business aviation analysts suggest the region's private business jet market is on course for a 13 to 15 per cent growth in 2014; bolstered by more aircraft orders and charter requests. We anticipate some 1200 business aircraft to be registered in the region by 2020, so the desire for new aircraft – particularly the new breed of ultra-luxurious, wider-bodied, faster and more fuel efficient craft – is clearly there.”
Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of show organisers F&E Aerospace, says: “When the world's leading business aircraft manufacturers decide to bring their newest, best and most impressive aircraft to MEBA, you know it is a show that the world is watching. We aim to help the local market understand what's available.”
She continues, “A jet is hardly an impulsive purchase, after all. The MEBA static display allows interested parties to get close to the aircraft, to study the interiors, to better understand the technology, the engines, and most of all, talk with company representatives face-to-face in a perfect, purpose-built environment.”
Visitors to MEBA will indeed be able to meet with representatives from the biggest names in private aviation including Gulfstream, Bombardier, Airbus and Dassault, plus further product and service providers ranging from aircraft management, flight services and ground handling to charter, maintenance & completion centres and FBOs.
