Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation His Excellency Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed participated in the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) exhibition, which was held in Dubai, UAE from 11-13 December, as part of ongoing preparations for the Bahrain International Airshow 2014.

The visit came as part of the strategy of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) chaired by His Highness Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative to His Majesty the King, and His Excellency the Minister’s keen commitment to progress the planning of BIAS, which is scheduled to take place on 16-18 January 2014.

During his visit, the Minister met several senior executives and leading industry players from global aviation manufacturers, including US company Boeing and European-based Airbus and Gulf Stream.  

He also met with a number of high level representatives of ground handling service providers serving the world’s leading airports including UK company Tag, in addition to private charter and VIP jet companies including Private Saudi Arabian Jet Company and international company Comlex.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, he attended a welcome reception held at the BIAS wing where he witnessed the signing of seven agreements with companies who will participate in BIAS 2014, in the presence of the CEOs of these companies.  The agreements were signed with Mr. Mohammed Albinfalah, CEO Bahrain Airport Company, Mr. Malcolm Macbeth, Vice President Aviation Middle East/Africa DHL Aviation, Mr. Graham Williamson, President Aircraft Management and Charter Services Tag Europe, Mr. Giri Iyengar, Regional Marketing Manager, AIR BP, which supplies fuel, Mr. George Saounatsos, CEO Bahrain Airport Services, and Mr. Omar Mattar, CEO Mena Aerospace.

His Excellency also met with numerous trade media representatives, with whom he discussed the economic importance of BIAS 2014, where numerous participating aviation companies will showcase their latest products and technologies in the industry.  He expressed his pride in the positive demand that BIAS 2014 has received so far, with over 60% of its available capacity having been sold, and his confidence that the remaining space will be sold over the next few months.

BIAS 2014 is held in Bahrain on a biennial basis at the Sakhir Air Base.  The show consists of 40 chalets as well as an aircraft exhibition space for all types of aircraft. BIAS also encompasses a separate area for the public where entertainment and recreational programs are held for families including air exhibitions that are held over 4 hours daily as well as musical bands, and public markets.