Top names to headline at Middle East business aviation conference

Some of the region’s biggest names in the industry have been confirmed as speakers for the second Middle East Business Aviation Conference (MEBAC). CEO of Qatar Executive and Qatar Airlines,  Akbar Al Baker; Homaid Al Shemmari, the executive director of Mubadala Aerospace and Rob Wilson, president of business & general aviation at Honeywell Aerospace are the keynote speakers addressing issues affecting the optimal development the Middle East industry and predicting the future of business aviation.

The conference includes 20 of the most prominent leaders in business aviation to discuss regulatory issues, safety standards, illegal charter and developments affecting FBOs and OEMs.

The conference will be opened on 10th December 2012 at The Address Dubai Marina Hotel in Dubai by MEBAA chairman, Mr Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi.

Sponsored by SPA (Saudi Private Aviation), the conference has been designed as an interactive and open forum, chaired by Arabian Aerospace editor-in-chief Alan Peaford, and delegates will be encouraged to debate and discuss the pertinent topics being presented by the panellists in order for MEBAA to record and address the most pressing challenges facing the industry as it moves into 2013.

Opening proceedings is Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Executive who will deliver a keynote presentation on how business and commercial aviation can work together and independently to achieve optimal performance. Following him will be Mubadala’s Homaid Al Shemmari, who will be delivering his keynote presentation on the integration of business aviation within the development of Abu Dhabi. Representing GCAA will be Mr Aws Al Khanjari, executive director, Aviation Security Affairs who will be part of a panel discussion on regulation in the industry.

Also, an exclusive for MEBAC 2012, Honeywell’s Rob Wilson will present Honeywell’s renowned Business Aviation Outlook for 2013. The remainder of the conference will take the form of panel discussions where CEO’s and Directors representing the region’s most important companies in the industry will debate upon topics affecting the industry such as  the grey market, pilot shortages, regulatory frameworks and international charter. These companies include Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault Aviation, Gates and Partners, Chartis, Al Jaber Aviation, London Executive Aviation, Jetex, Embraer Executive Jets and GAMA Aviation.

Speaking about MEBAC, Al Naqbi, founding chairman of MEBAA said: “As we draw closer to the end of the year, the 2nd Edition of our MEBAC Conference, as a precursor to MEBA 2012, is the perfect conclusion of a fantastic year for our industry. MEBAC will gather the heads of operators, brokers, distributors, FBOs, governments, MRO providers and manufacturers for a unique opportunity to network and collectively discuss and set common goals. Through case studies, workshops and audience discussions, MEBAC will deliver a platform, twice annually moving into 2013, to share our concerns and promote business aviation within the economic and political agenda of the Middle East and North Africa.”