The venue for the next MEBA show in 2012 is uncertain as the organisers evaluate several locations to accommodate the burgeoning event.
Alison Weller, managing director of show organiser F&E, says: "What is certain is that it won't be based at the current site at Dubai International. The facility is so busy that there is no room to accommodate us here any longer."
Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, founding member of show host the Middle East Business Aviation Association, says the original plan was to rotate the show around the region. "A number of other sites are being considered for MEBA 2012 which will be held from 11-13 December, including the new Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum airport under development, Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi and locations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia." A decision will be made in the next 12 months.
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© BillypixAlison Weller, managing director of show organiser F&E & Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, founding member of show host the Middle East Business Aviation Association |
"The facility must meet a number of requirements to serve as host for the fifth MEBA show," Weller says. "It needs to accommodate around 500 exhibitors - which we are expecting at the next show - and up to 80 business jets of different sizes. The static must also be at the same site so people do not have to travel to see the aircraft."
This year's exhibition is expected to attract 7,000 trade visitors. There will be 338 exhibitors - 40% more than 2008 - and 53 business jets, Weller says.
This year, for the first time, the show occupies two of the Dubai International Airport Expo's three halls. Exhibitors include the big six business jet airframers as well as Airbus and Boeing. The event is being officially opened this morning by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Airports and chairman, Emirates.
Source: Flight Daily News