Business & GA

In a first for the region, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has won its bid to host the 2010 meeting in Dubai of the governing body of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).

Traditionally held in the USA and Europe, the annual meeting of IBAC's governing body will be held next year during the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show, taking place from 7-9 December 2010.

The announcement was made by MEBAA chairman Ali Al Naqbi during MEBAA's annual board meeting at the Dubai air show at Airport Expo, Dubai. "The Middle East market, in which some 450 business aircraft are operating, is set to expand 15-20% per annum over the next four years, to become a $1 billion industry," Al Naqbi says.

"Confident that the Middle East is the one of the fastest-growing regions for business aviation, we approached the IBAC governing body to persuade them to come to Dubai and experience this dynamic marketplace themselves."

With more than 130 members, MEBAA is an active participant in the region and has been a member of IBAC since 2007.

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