The Middle East Business Aviation show got under way in Dubai on Tuesday and organizers are expecting a 30-percent increase in attendance from the 2008 edition. About 7,000 people are expected to attend. There are about 250 exhibitors and most of the bizjet OEMs are there. Bombardier has five aircraft, Cessna eight, Hawker Beechcraft four, and Embraer brought its new Legacy 650 along with a Lineage 1000 and a Legacy 600. Embraer released a report saying the Mideast business jet fleet will double to 600 in the next 10 years and be worth $11 billion to the industry. Al Bateen, the region’s only executive airport, is getting ready for the increased traffic.
The privately-owned airport in Abu Dhabi recently added an ILS and also announced a 35-percent reduction in landing fees and a 17-percent drop in parking fees. Traffic is steadily increasing and will hit 8,000 movements this year. It’s expected to hit 12,000 by 2014. Al Bateen is home to Al Jaber Aviation, XO Jet, Prestige Jet and Falcon Aviation Services with a combined fleet of around 30 business jets and helicopters.
