Bahrain airshow signs construction contracts

The organisers of the Bahrain International Airshow have awarded a $28million (£17m) contract to Arena Group and Lea International to construct the buildings and the interiors for the show.

Under a partnership between the two contractors called ArenaLea, the entire project will be completed in six months. Farnborough International Ltd says this is an industry first.

The contract covers the 2010, 2012 and 2014 events, with the first taking place on January 21-23 2010 at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain.

Under Royal patronage, the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) is being organised through a partnership between Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs and Farnborough International Ltd (FIL), a UK based company and organisers of the Farnborough International Airshow.

Captain AbdulRahman Al Gaoud, Undersecretary for Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs and Executive Chairman of The Organising Committee commented: “We are delighted to appoint ArenaLea as the contractor for constructing and fitting out our luxury chalets and related facilities for the Airshow, which we believe will set a new standard in aerospace events worldwide for many years to come. The Kingdom of Bahrain enjoys a wonderfully close relationship with the United Kingdom, so we are delighted to be partnering with Farnborough International Ltd to be developing this prestigious event. The show has been specifically designed with aerospace industry requirements and views very much in mind, as we have listened to what the industry really wants and expects from an aerospace event. We very much look forward to welcoming visitors to the Airshow in Bahrain in 2010.”

FIL said that with a proven track record in aerospace exhibitions, ArenaLea took the event brief and presented a detailed concept to showcase their vision of the permanent facilities. These will include the show entrance, VIP enclosure, business chalets, restaurants, a media centre and assorted public area buildings.

And that the exciting new design and quality provision within facilities throughout the show were among the awarding body’s main criteria.

Work will begin immediately on the manufacture of special high quality custom designed buildings that will provide Bahrain a showcase event.

ArenaLea will establish a Bahrain office to complement their existing presence in the region and to enable them to take advantage of future business opportunities in Bahrain.