The latest edition of the Middle East Business Aviation (Meba) show provided a vivid snapshot of the region’s business aviation industry. There is still tangible growth coming through, albeit at a markedly slower rate than had been seen before the global financial crisis washed up on some parts of the Arabian Gulf’s shores. Equally, it is clear that business aviation is spreading more widely throughout the region and that infrastructure and the locally run element of the sector is getting stronger in that part of the world.
The event, held at Dubai Airport Expo from December 7 to 9, was effectively the fourth staging of Meba (the first show having been no more than a one-day conference as part of the larger Dubai Air Show in 2005). It made a strong showing, with exhibitor numbers climbing more than 40 percent from 2008. The number of visitors reached 6,200–just over 12 percent up on 2008’s tally of 5,500 but below the anticipated number of 7,000.
