Bahrain-based Gulf Aviation Academy, in association with Tamkeen, has signed a BD4 million ($10.6 million) deal with one of the world's top pilot colleges to train up to 120 Bahrainis as part of the Kingdom's cutting-edge pilot training scheme.

The move is part of Bahrain's plan to position itself as the regional aviation hub.

Twelve Bahraini youngsters will begin their training next month with experts from the US Pilot Training College, it was announced at the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) yesterday.

The Middle East alone will require more than 1,800 new pilots annually over the next 20 years, say experts.

The deal to train Bahraini pilots is among the many signed at the air show, which organisers have declared as a runaway success.

Civil Aviation Affairs Under-Secretary Captain Abdulrahman Al Gaoud told the GDN that more than 50,000 visitors were expected to attend the show over three days.

'We think we will have exceeded that figure.'

Crowds, that started to gather from early in the morning, were treated to a breathtaking array of aerobatics and stunt shows by fighter and civilian pilots as well as those from the Bahrain Royal Air Force.

Organisers said public tickets for today had already sold out, with thousands more expected to attend on the last day. The expo is showcasing 69 aircraft in the trade area and 15 in the public arena.

The show has been organised by Farnborough International with the support of Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs.-TradeArabia News Service