During last month’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE 2007) in Geneva, the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) governing board voted to admit the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) as a new member. The IBAC expansion gives MEBAA direct access to the latest developments occurring in the international business aviation industry, according to the association, which was launched only last year. The young association was formed by founding members Airbus, Bexair, Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Emirates CAE, ExecuJet, Fairs & Exhibitions, Falcon Aviation Services, Gulfstream, Jet Aviation, JetEX, Lufthansa Technik, National Air Services (NAS), Royal Jet and Wallan Aviation. It now has more than 45 members and anticipates additional organizations will be joining soon. IBAC is a U.S-based non-profit, non-governmental association, representing business aviation’s interests in international policy and regulatory forums.
Founded in 1981 and with the MEBAA addition, IBAC counts 13 international aviation associations as members, including the Canadian Business Aviation Association, the European Business Aviation Association and the U.S.-based National Business Aviation Association. “MEBAA has been very active regionally in expanding the business aviation sector. We’ve worked hard to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this industry, which is clearly proved by the astounding 15-20% growth it witnesses annually. We are delighted to join our international peers under the IBAC umbrella and utilize this opportunity to raise awareness about this growing industry in the Middle East,” commented Ali Al Naqbi, chairman of MEBAA.
