Highlights from the Middle East Business Aviation Association Show 2024 (#MEBAAShow). View all three digital editions below. 

Day 1

One of the highlights of a packed static aircraft line-up at MEBAA is the Airbus ACJ220, which is making its show debut. The 2024 edition of MEBAA will showcase the high demand not just for the sale of new business jets in the Middle East, but the strong need for all the services and products that surround this market sector.

Companies featured in issue one of Show Business include ACJ, Comlux, AMAC, Gama, ExecuJet, Dassault, Gulfstream, Empire Aviation and CTT.

Read the digital edition of Day 1 here

Day 2

The lead story for SHOW BUSINESS Day 2 at MEBAA was the grand unveiling of the Dubai-based Falcon private aviation group. With fresh branding, accompanied by an expansive business plan, new investment and a new CEO, the group reveal was one of the day's major talking points. 

A packed issue features IBAC, IC Leasing, MySky, Comlux, Xinatis, MedAire, Jetcraft, Greenpoint Technologies among many others.

Read the digital edition of Day 2 here

Day 3

Our lead story outlines how the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has listened to business aviation industry calls with a “golden package” of measures aimed at making life easier for operators.

The third issue of SHOW BUSINESS highlights the many companies expanding their footprint in the region including Green Power, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, VistaJet, ExecuJet MRO Services, ArcosJet, Joby, UAS, Victor, and Skyplan.

Read the digital edition of Day 3 here

The third issue of SHOW BUSINESS highlights the many companies expanding their footprint in the region including Green Power, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, VistaJet, ExecuJet MRO Services, ArcosJet, Joby, UAS, Victor, and Skyplan.

Read the digital edition of Day 3 here

Read the digital edition of Day 2 here

Read the digital edition of Day 1 here

The Abu Dhabi-based company aims to bring in 12 aircraft in Q1 2025, and 50 by the end of the year.

Speaking during the BizAv Talks conference sessions at MEBAA, CEO Ramandeep Oberoi said that the incomers would be a mix of owned and managed aircraft.

He said there had been a jump in demand for private jets since the pandemic, when people sought safer ways of travel than flying by commercial airliner. They had then become accustomed to that mode of transport, which had resulted in continuing higher demand.

Additionally, he said, if an extended Arab family of, say, 10 people wanted to travel together, hiring a business jet was less expensive than paying for 10 first-class tickets on an airliner.

Oberoi said that, traditionally, the UAE aviation regulator, the GCAA, had been an airline-oriented organisation, “but now things have changed”. He pointed to the tiny European nation of San Marino, which had developed a registry of more than 500 aircraft, the vast majority of them executive aircraft.

“We’ve asked the GCAA to become more business aviation-oriented and they are very much interested.”

The two companies will focus initially on Jetex locations across the Middle East, where Joby plans to install its Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS), to support Joby operations that will connect Jetex passengers to a network of vertiports, offering efficient and sustainable travel across the region and between Emirates.

“At Jetex, sustainability is a key focus of our strategy, and our partnership with Joby represents an important step forward in achieving our vision of greener skies,” says Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex. “We are committed to driving innovation that reduces our industry’s environmental impact, and integrating Joby’s electric air taxis into our network allows us to deliver cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable travel experiences, starting in the UAE.”

This addition marks a new era of high-speed inflight connectivity for its passengers, setting a benchmark in private aviation and aligning with the company’s mission to remain at the forefront of aviation technology.

From 14 December 2024, Qatar Executive will operate its first Starlink-equipped Gulfstream G650ER, giving passengers the ability to remain even more connected through a fast and reliable Wi-Fi service with speeds of up to 350 megabits per second. Passengers will be able to stream their favourite movies and tv shows, watch live sports and work uninterrupted all while flying in the privacy and comfort of a private jet at 45,000 feet.

Qatar Executive confirmed that the first five aircraft of its 15 G650ER fleet will have Starlink installed by May 2025, with plans to roll out the technology across its full Gulfstream fleet over the next 18 months.

Qatar Airways’ Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Executive continues to redefine the future of private aviation. The integration of Starlink technology represents our vision for seamless connectivity that meets the expectations of our global clientele. This innovation further enhances our position as a leading provider in the ultra-long-range business jet branded charter market, ensuring that every journey with Qatar Executive is exceptional.”

With fresh branding, accompanied by an expansive business plan, new investment and a new CEO, the group reveal was one of the day's major talking points. 

A packed issue features IBAC, IC Leasing, MySky, Comlux, Xinatis, MedAire, Jetcraft, Greenpoint Technologies among many others.

Read the digital edition of Day 2 here

Read the digital edition of Day 1 here

The latest Falcon 2000LXS is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2025. DC Aviation GmbH, IC Leasing’s long-standing strategic partner, will operate the aircraft out of its main base in Stuttgart, Germany.

Khader Mattar, Founder of IC Leasing, commented: "The Falcon 2000LXS was selected for its industry-leading cabin features and comfort, impressive operating cost-effectiveness, and high reliability - qualities that meet the evolving demands of today’s business aviation users."

The Falcon 2000 is also a highly versatile aircraft that offers remarkable low-speed performance far beyond anything in its class. It takes off from shorter runways, climbs directly to 41,000 feet in just 20 minutes lands on shorter fields, dry or wet. It can fly non-stop from Dubai to London, Johannesburg, Singapore or Beijing.

Svenja Wortmann, managing director of DC Aviation Group, commented: "We value the close and trustful cooperation with IC Leasing which has spanned over multiple years and we are very pleased about the addition of the third Falcon 2000 to our fleet". With the new aircraft, DC Aviation Group will operate a total of 37 business jets, including six Falcons.

The 2024 edition of MEBAA will showcase the high demand not just for the sale of new business jets in the Middle East, but the strong need for all the services and products that surround this market sector.

Companies featured in issue one of Show Business include ACJ, Comlux, AMAC, Gama, ExecuJet, Dassault, Gulfstream, Empire Aviation and CTT.

Read the digital edition of Day 1 here

The company said a key component of its increase was an upsurge in demand from corporate travellers, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

“The region's thriving economy, coupled with the increasing popularity of luxury travel and seamless connectivity to global destinations, played a pivotal role in driving this growth,” said Claudia Krajhanzl, Vice President Passenger Charters for Chapman Freeborn IMEA.

Chapman Freeborn will be marking its debut participation at MEBAA 2024.

Krajhanzl said: “As the company celebrates record growth in passenger services and the expansion of its footprint in the Middle East, MEBAA provides the ideal platform for Chapman Freeborn to connect with key industry stakeholders, corporate decision-makers, and global business travellers.

“Participating in MEBAA 2024 is an important occasion for Chapman Freeborn. As we celebrate our tremendous growth and reaffirm our commitment to regional expansion, the Middle East remains a cornerstone of our global strategy. This underpins our dedication to continue delivering unparalleled private aviation solutions that meet the evolving demands of our clients.”