The business aviation market in the Middle East is now at a crucial stage in its development and is poised to reach an annual value of $1 billion by 2018, according to Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). Al Naqbi was speaking at a roundtable meeting for MEBAA members held in Dubai last Thursday. “Constant dialogue and knowledge-sharing among the various stakeholders is key to removing operational bottlenecks and steering the industry towards long-term sustained growth,” Al Naqbi said.
The so-called grey market of potentially illegal charters was highlighted as being a major concern for MEBAA. “It’s an education thing,” said Anthony Frances, partner at law firm Gates & Partners, who added that he hoped the issue didn’t flare up because of an accident involving a company that doesn’t hold an air operator’s certificate.
