Airport support systems slowing down business aviation potential in Gulf

Speaking at a press conference to launch MEBA, the region's business aviation show, Ali Al Naqbi, the founding chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) said that demand for light jet and very light jet (VLJ) services could not be met becasue airports lacked the facilities to provide essential services such as air-conditioning for that size aircraft.

Last week, Dubai-based Air Partner launched a jet card for the Middle East region. This is the first card of its kind in the region and allows regular business jet users to book 25-hours of jet time for a set fee.

The company's head of marketing David Macdonald, said that the card was restricted to large jets as the market in the region was not sufficiently well equipped with the smaller and lighter jets to enable Air Partner to meet its 48-hour guarantees.

"We know there is demand and it will come," Al Naqbi said at the Abu Dhabi launch on Monday. "A number of manufacturers of light jets and VLJs will be on display at MEBA."

Many airports charge the same for handling a VLJ or Entry level Jet like the Cessna Mustang as they do a Gulfstream or Global class of aircraft.

"We still have a job to do making people understand eactly what business aviation is about," Al naqbi said. "This is one of the key roles for MEBAA"

The MEBA show runs at Dubai Airport Expo, December 7-9.