Check-in desks, duty-free shops and departure lounges, signs for passport control and baggage reclaim: this year's stopgap venue for MEBA is an air-show location like none other.
Those turning up for the first day of MEBA 2012 will find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. After three iterations in the now-demolished expo centre at Dubai International, the convention has moved to the still-to-open passenger terminal at the new Al Maktoum airport - planned to be the biggest airline hub in the world by 2030 but still an unfamiliar destination for many of the city's taxi drivers.
Some 385 exhibitor stands begin in the check-in area and wind their way to the departure lounge, where they surround the duty-free shop.
Outside, the layout is more conventional, with a static park of 45 business aircraft in front of the runway, and 24 hospitality chalets.
However, the move appears to have been a success for the show organisers, with Fairs & Exhibitions reporting pre-registrations 35% up on the previous event and predicting more than 7,000 trade visitors over the three days.
Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association, which is behind MEBA, says: "For three days you will see business aviation at its best - we look forward to welcoming a large number of visitors, from high net-worth individuals, regional royalty, VIPs and government representatives to corporate decision-makers and business people."
Source: Flight Daily News
