MEBAA Attends NBAA Ahead Of MEBA... Got That?

A not-for-profit group founded in July to further business aviation interests in the Middle East will make its first official appearance at the National Business Aviation Association conference kicking off Tuesday in Orlando, FL... where the group may pick up some pointers, as well.

Representatives with the newly-formed Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) tell ANN this will be the first official appearance by the group. The association's goals include enhancing safety, security, efficiency and acceptance of business aviation in the mideast.

A not-for-profit organization, MEEBA is incorporated in Dubai -- a locale where both commercial and business aviation are, well, taking off.

Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, vice president of finance and administration for Abu Dhabi-based Amiri Flight, is the group's first chairman. He will be in attendance at the NBAA conference.

MEEBA recently announced it, too, will be holding an annual gathering... with similar intent to the NBAA's annual conference. Called the Middle East Business Aviation conference, or MEBA, the inaugural two-day event will kick off at the Airport Expo Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates from January 31 through February 1 next year.

"This is a growing sector and we need significant discussions about the regional market to open up," said Jordan's Prince Feisal Ibn Al-Hussein on the importance of business aviation to the region. "The market needs more professionalism and transparency and this is what both the Association and MEBA will help kick-start. I hope the conference realistically addresses concerns, of which open skies is one, which are seriously holding back the growth of this high potential segment."

FMI: www.nbaa.org