MEBAA
PUBLICATIONS
12.8.16 • DUBAI
Convention News
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THURSDAY
DAVID McINTOSH
AINONLINE.COM
Gulf fleet is ripe for upgrade
MIDDLE EAST BIZAV IS PUTTING ITS BEST FOOT FORWARD
by James Wynbrandt About 10 percent of the Middle East’s corporate aircraft fleet of midsize, large cabin and executive airliners, worth almost $1 billion, is currently for sale, according to new research released here at MEBAA by financing firm Global Jet Capital (GJC). Based on an analysis Used Aircraft
of JetNet data, about 732 jets in total are registered in the region and around 73 are on the block, the research finds: Some 26 in the UAE, 23 in Saudi Arabia, 14 in Turkey, the remainder scattered around the region, with their value totaling an estimated $939 million. Many
owners of the for-sale aircraft “are looking to upgrade to a more modern aircraft,” said Simon Davies, GJC sales director for the Middle East. The research hints that a growing number of regional owners may be ripe for an
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According to MEBAA founding chairman Ali Alnaqbi, “There remains a strong appetite for business aviation in the Middle East and North Africa. The regional business aviation sector clearly faces a strong future." While there are skeptics, industry optimists remain confident in Alnaqbi's promise of strong years to come. The 2016 MEBAA show featured 45 aircraft on static display and 460 exhibitors. Asia was represented for the first time, and 27 percent came from the U.S. With an eye toward “right-sizing” the region’s fleet, Honda brought its light jet for its debut. Service providers also rallied to the cause. When the next MEBAA show meets n (December 10-12, 2018) the future’s vision will likely be clearer.
Completions
Charter
In-Flight Entertainment
Avionics
Boeing Simplifies Used BBJ Sales
‘Zen’ And The Art Of Interiors
GI Aviation’s PC-12s Ok’d In UAE
Panasonic Enters Bizav IFE Market
Dassault’s ‘FalconEye’ A Popular Option
The airframer announced new support designed to simplify training, documentation and technical support when buying or selling a used BBJ. Page 8
China-based Haeco’s new cabin concepts blend the four seasons with Asian themes and modern, minimalist style into one-of-akind, personalized interior. Page 12
The GCAA granted the company its aircraft operator’s certificate, enabling its charter service to offer customers the single-engine turboprops. Page 16
Long a player aboard commercial aircraft, the company is expanding into communications and entertainment products and services for business aviation. Page 19
The combined vision system, available on the Falcon 2000S/LXS and soon on the 8X, blends data-driven imagery with sensors to simplify instrument approaches. Page 22