MEBA10: “Navigating our way to tomorrow's airspace”

“I am delighted to welcome exhibitors and delegates to the fourth MEBA show at what is an exciting – but equally challenging – time for our industry.

"There is a lot for us to talk about as we meet this week.

"The MEBA show gives our Association – and our industry – an opportunity to debate the key issues that will be affecting us over the next year or so and I am grateful to Arabian Aerospace Show Business for giving us the chance to set the agenda for discussion as we welcome official delegations from the region’s civil aviation authorities to the show.

"It is good that they are here. Operators from the Middle East will be watching keenly the progression that is being made elsewhere in the transition to future navigation systems.

"Our colleagues at NBAA in the United States have already expressed their support for transition to a future aviation system that is satellite‐based, rather than operating on today’s ground‐based navigation system.

"Accelerating the transition to the next generation air transportation system (NGATS) will advance important aviation and international objectives, which include further reducing the industry’s environmental footprint, enhancing safety, expanding system capacity and reducing congestion.

"It is our belief that business aviation must play a role in determining the way air traffic management (ATM) systems in the region are planned.

"Business aviation is matching the growth of our brothers in the commercial air transport sector – and plays a vital role in the economic fortunes of the region and the businesses that are driving our growth.

"As we compete for precious airspace, it is vital that we help our colleagues in the control towers to understand the differences between our operations – and work together towards a transition that will improve the industry for all of us.”