Middle East & North Africa

Saudia Private Aviation (SPA) has launched a new iPad app for customers to use on board its business aircraft.

Gulfstream is showing examples of the Gulfstream 450 and Gulfstream 550 in the static display, but is energetically promoting its newly-certificated Gulfstream 280 and 650 flagship models.

Plans are on schedule for the opening of Dubai World Central's first business jet operation, due to launch on April 1, 2013.

Aerovision (stand 345) is continuing its tests to obtain EASA certification of its Falcon 50 camera.

ExecuJet Middle East (stand 595) has enlarged its FBO at Dubai International Airport by taking over the largest dedicated business aviation terminal in the Middle East.

Jorge Colindres, CEO of San Marino Aircraft Registry (stand 425) and Marco Conti, San Marino civil aviation director, yesterday cut the ribbon to confirm their partnership for the country's new aircraft registry.

Dassault Falcon Jet (chalet A13) is presenting its latest business jet – the super mid-sized Falcon 2000S – in the Middle East for the first time at MEBA.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) A380 base maintenance rating received by Sabena Technics (stand 620) on its Bordeaux, France facility means that the company now holds base maintenance rating on every flying Airbus aircraft, including Beluga.

ExecuJet Middle East is set to launch operations in Saudi Arabia through its new FBO in Riyadh from the first quarter of 2013.

Dassault Falcon sees a demand for business jets recovering throughout the Middle East, spurred on by large regional operators and the increased globalisation of commerce.

Jet Aviation Dubai (stand 590) has signed an agreement with First Emirates Aviation (FEAG) to offer full interior refurbishment capabilities out of Abu Dhabi.

Having witnessed a considerable increase in the number of movements between the UK and the Middle East in recent years, TAG Farnborough Airport (stand 475) is at MEBA this week to outline the growing significance of the region's business aviation market.

Ottawa-headquartered TrueNorth Avionics (stand 393) unveiled its new GSM-based mobile phone system at MEBA today.

This year's Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show kicks off with some strong stats from organisers – the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) – which says that the local market will be worth US$1 billion by 2018.

A new working group to quash the illegal charter market in the Middle East sprang from a session at the Middle East Business Aviation Conference yesterday.

The business aircraft industry is too fragmented; consolidation must occur and the UAE is ready to step in.

Is Bahrain making a bid to oust offshore registrations and take the regional lead on developing rules that would suit the entire region?

What are the issues prohibiting optimal progression of the Middle East business aviation market? That was the title of an open forum at the Middle East Business Aviation Conference.

An open forum at MEBAC looked at the difficulties in setting up new FBOs in the region.

Saad Wallan, founder of the Wallan Group, has slammed Cessna for failing to support his business.

Rob Wilson delivered Honeywell Aerospace's business aviation outlook for 2013 at the Middle East Business Aviation Conference yesterday.

AMAC Aerospace has just started work on the VIP conversion of a Boeing 747-8i for an unnamed Middle East private customer at its Euroairport Basel Mulhouse facilities.

Lufthansa Technik's Innovation Business Unit (stand 335) has begun production deliveries of its 'nice' cabin management and in-flight entertainment (HD CMS / IFE) system for the new Learjet 70 and Learjet 75.

Pilatus and its authorised and exclusive distributor for the Pilatus PC-12NG, AMAC Aerospace (stand No 622/chalet A20), are showcasing the air taxi capabilities of this versatile turboprop aircraft during MEBA.

Hawker Beechcraft is displaying its full line-up of commercial King Air turboprops at MEBA.