Bahrain is key to the future growth of the Middle East's burgeoning business charter jet market, says a leading industry figure.

The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) founding chairman Ali Al Naqbi, whose organisation is behind the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show, said Bahrain had a strategic importance to the charter jet market, according to a report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

'Massive growth is predicted in Middle East aviation market over the next five years,' he said.

'We think the regional business aviation market will be worth $1 billion by 2012, and we are seeing yearly growth rates of 15 to 20 per cent.

'Bahrain has already made significant investment in infrastructure to accommodate growth and we are seeing more and more companies increasing their presence here to capitalise on this potential.'

He said that Bahrain had a lot to contribute to regional expansion and encouraged local companies to join MEBAA, the regional association established to represent the sector in the local and international aviation arenas, and attend MEBA.

'By the time the show kicks off we will have more than 250 exhibitors, making this year's edition triple the size of last year's,' he said, adding that the event is organised and run by F&E Aerospace.

One company that has long appreciated the significance of the MEBA show, which runs at the Dubai Airport Expo from November 16 to 18 is Bahrain's Bexair, a founding-member of parent organisation MEBAA.

'The evolution of this show has been in parallel with that of the Middle East business aviation market.

'The need for a regional high-level, interactive sales and discussion platform is a key driver for the development of the industry and will greatly benefit the show's standing on the world-wide stage. It really is the must-attend for anyone wanting to get ahead in this dynamic sector,' said F&E Aerospace director Alison Weller.

More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, an increase of more than 50 per cent over last year. - TradeArabia News Service