More than 50,000 visitors are expected to flock to the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS 2012) this weekend.

BIAS is running from January 19 to 21 at Sakhir Airbase.

Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) Under-Secretary Captain Abdulrahman Al Goud said the three-day show, which begins tomorrow at the Sakhir Air Base, is already sold out with all the 40 corporate chalets having been taken.

'We have had a tremendous response and there is a lot of interest from the public as thousands of tickets have already been sold,' he said while visiting the BIAS 2012 media centre along with Information Affairs Authority (IAA) president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

'At the last show, there were around 40,000 people but this year, judging from the interest so far, we are looking at least 50,000.'

Media committee chairman Lieutenant-Colonel Abdulla Al Nuaimi briefed Shaikh Fawaz on the centre's equipment and facilities to cover such an international event.

Capt Al Goud said there would be more attractions for the public at the show in comparison to the previous event. The number of corporate chalets are also set to be increased.

Shaikh Fawaz said more than 300 journalists from Bahrain and abroad had registered for the show.

'The expertise and the infrastructure that Bahrain has will be broadcast throughout the world,' he said.

'There will be round-the-clock live broadcasts by Bahrain Television and Radio Bahrain as well as other national and international channels. We will ensure the show goes round the world to project the image of Bahrain as a friendly country with excellent infrastructure facilities,' said Shaikh Fawaz.

The biennial event is being organised by UK-based exhibition organiser Farnborough International Limited, in collaboration with CAA.

Visitors to the show will be taken to the site in shuttle buses, which will operate regularly from Bahrain International Circuit.

It will open for trade on all three days from 9am and 5pm and to the public from 10.30am to 6.15pm.

His Majesty's Personal Representative and BIAS 2012 organising committee head Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday visited the site of the exhibition and inspected the preparations. Sakhir Air base Commander Brigadier-General Mohammed Bahussain attended. – TradeArabia News Service