Abu Dhabi Air Expo will be held at Al Bateen Executive Airport in the capital this year, as the travel industry continues its recovery from the effect of the coronavirus pandemic thanks to an easing of government travel restrictions.
The event, which will run from November 1 to 3, is expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors and host more than 300 manufacturers and suppliers, a statement from Abu Dhabi Airports on Tuesday said.
“The continuation of this event, the tenth in the series, reinforces the position of Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for general aviation, and of Al Bateen Executive Airport as a catalyst for its ongoing development,” said Shareef Al Hashmi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports.
“We’re confident it will enable the forward-thinking, networking and business discussions that will power the sector’s growth.”
Global passenger traffic is on track to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, with the outlook unchanged by the Omicron coronavirus variant, although the Russia-Ukraine conflict poses near-term risks, the International Air Transport Association said.
The number of travellers is expected to reach four billion in 2024, more than double pre-coronavirus levels recorded in 2019, IATA said this month.
Governments are easing restrictions to stimulate demand for travel. India this week resumed all international flights, and Emirates airline said it is restoring its flight schedule between Dubai and India to full capacity from April 1.
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A work of art by Sheikha Alyazia Nahyan Al Nahyan. Lee Hoagland / The National -
RoyalJet chief executive Shane O’Hare says they have plans to organise more sports packages following success of the Manchester City-Barcelona football match offer. Lee Hoagland / The National -
Visitors pose for a photo in front of a Gulfstream G550. Lee Hoagland / The National -
The interior of Dassault’s latest model, the Falcon 7x, on display at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. Lee Hoagland / The National -
Rotana Jet is expanding its fleet as the company eyes long-haul flights from its base in Abu Dhabi. Lee Hoagland / The National -
The Abu Dhabi Air Expo was not all about planes, there was also an all-Emirati marching band present. Lee Hoagland / The National -
The Al Fursan Aerobatics team puts on a show for the crowd at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. Lee Hoagland / The National -
French manufacturer Dassault Aviation sold nine Falcon business jets last year and hopes to sell more at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. Lee Hoagland / The National -
Dassault Aviation’s latest model the Falcon 7X, a large-cabin, long-range aircraft that is capable of flying 11,000 kilometers at a stretch, and can take in gateway cities such as London, Cape Town and Marrakech. Lee Hoagland / The National -
An Abu Dhabi Police helicopter as seen through a cockpit of a plane at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. Lee Hoagland / The National -
The Al Fursan Aerobatics team putting on a show. Lee Hoagland / The National
The Abu Dhabi Air Expo will feature the latest innovations in private jet aircraft, helicopters, executive charter services, airport equipment and services, avionics systems, insurance and financing, Abu Dhabi Airports, which is part of holding company ADQ, said.
More than 100 aircraft, from ultralight to heavy business jets, are expected to be on display during the event.
This year’s event will involve a new format that divides the exhibition into three areas: aircraft hangar, chalets and outdoor static display.
It will also feature a conference programme focusing on the industry's latest developments.
“There is a high demand from across the sector and we’re anticipating record numbers,” Didier Mary, general manager of Abu Dhabi Air Expo, said.
The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (Mebaa) Show, one of the leading events of its kind, will also be held in Dubai this year from December 6 to 8 at Dubai World Central Airport.
