Experts in the region’s aviation sector will discuss the issues surrounding North Africa’s business aviation market including FBO challenges and regulatory framework at an upcoming conference in Marrakech.

The Middle East Business Aviation Association (Mebaa) will host its inaugural Middle East Business Aviation Conference (Mebac) under the patronage of Abdullah Bouhouche - director general, Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Morocco.

The conference is set to take place on October 8 at the Four Seasons Resort.

The day will open with a keynote speech from Bouhouche, whereby he will discuss the factors behind the Kingdom’s rise within the business aviation market over recent years.

Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of Mebaa will also be delivering a keynote speech updating the delegates on Mebaa and its activities during 2013 and looking ahead to 2014.

Also, exclusively for Mebac Marrakech, Christoph Kohler, managing director of WINGX will be revealing exclusive research on the North African market. This will include estimated value of charter revenues generated from flights; breakdown of flights by charter, private and other (government and humanitarian); and estimated size of the MRO market across countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt.

The conference will also feature three panel discussions; Business Aviation Operator Challenges, Business Aviation Regulations and FBOs & Business Aircraft Handling. These sessions have been designed to be open and interactive to promote participation with Mebaa recording all discussions and any points of which require action.

“Following feedback received from our members, especially within North Africa, we are very pleased to be able to host Mebac Marrakech and address the issues surrounding the North African Business Aviation sector,” said Al Naqbi.

“North Africa continues to be the gateway into Africa and the Middle East and with so much untapped growth yet to be realised, conferences like Mebac will go some way into showcasing its potential and addressing the concerns of those on the ground and investors alike.”

Mebac Marrakech will also be taking place on the eve of the fifth GHAC – Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference & Exhibition from October 9 to 11.

The humanitarian conference will be hosted by The World Food Programme (WFP) and take place in the same venue as Mebac. Mebaa will be showcasing its on-going support for GHAC and WFP activities by officially being endorsed as a supporting partner. – TradeArabia News Service