Business Aviation booms in the UAE

The 2017 edition saw a huge representation of the industry flock to DWC, Dubai Airshow Site last November, spanning OEMs, FBOs, service providers and the complete supply chain. 

Combined figures for both Dubai airports equal about 50,000 UHNW passengers per year and according to data released by market intelligence firm WINGX at the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Conference in Dubai in December 2016, there were 2,568 business aircraft departures from the UAE in 2016 compared to 2,165 and 2,155 in 2015 and 2014 respectively. The largest number of movements happen May to August, with January and October also considered high intensity months.

“The Dubai Airshow is one of the few times the entire region and the entire world come together,” says Steve Suttles, GM, Middle East & Africa at Bell. He continues, “It is always special and always different. The Dubai Airshow is the most critical show in the region. It’s the single place where everyone comes together for one week to share information, observe each others products and do business.”

Among those who attended were Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault Aviation, in addition to UAE, Europe and USA based players. The static display featured 40 business aircraft, with models from Pilatus, Hondajet and the Emirates Airline Airbus all business class A319 joined on the tarmac by the only 787-8 business jet from UAS International Trip Support. 

“The Middle East is seeing a boom in the business aviation sector,” says Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of Dubai Airshow organisers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East. “It has always been a significant part of the Dubai Airshow, and we expect this recent growth in business aviation exhibitors and attendees to continue at the 2019 edition. This is demonstrated by the commitment already of many key industry names to the Dubai Airshow 2019 which include Embraer, Boeing and DC Aviation.”