More than 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS 2012) this weekend.

BIAS is running from 19 to 21 January at Sakhir Airbase.

Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) Under-Secretary Captain Abdulrahman Al Goud said the three-day show, which begins today at the Sakhir Air Base, is already sold out with all the 40 corporate chalets having been taken.

“We have had a tremendous response and there is a lot of interest from the public as thousands of tickets have already been sold,” he said while visiting the BIAS 2012 Media Centre along with Information Affairs Authority (IAA) President Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

“At the last show, there were around 40,000 people but this year, judging from the interest so far, we are looking at least 50,000.”

Media Committee Chairman Lieutenant-Colonel Abdulla Al Nuaimi briefed Sheikh Fawaz on the centre's equipment and facilities to cover such an international event.

Captain Al Goud said there would be more attractions for the public at the show in comparison to the previous event.

Sheikh Fawaz said more than 300 journalists from Bahrain and abroad had registered for the show.

“The expertise and the infrastructure that Bahrain has will be broadcast throughout the world.” There will be round-the-clock live broadcasts by Bahrain Television and Radio Bahrain as well as other national and international channels. We will ensure the show goes round the world to project the image of Bahrain as a friendly country with excellent infrastructure facilities,” Sheikh Fawaz added.

The biennial event is organized by UK-based exhibition organizer Farnborough International Limited, in collaboration with CAA.

Visitors to the show will be taken to the site in shuttle buses, which will operate regularly from Bahrain International Circuit.