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Abu Dhabi Air Expo kicks off

Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2014 kicked off in the capital to reinforce the emirate’s ambitions in the general aviation.

“Aviation is part of the several sectors and Abu Dhabi is looking at to boost the sector in line with its Abu Dhabi 2030 plan,” said Ali Majid Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of expo.

He said Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a regional leader in the aviation industry.

“The show helps to significantly boost the footprint of general aviation industry in Abu Dhabi, which forms part of an ongoing effort to support the development of new business sectors and diversify the Emirates’ economy,” Al Mansoori added.

Earlier, Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and member of the Executive Council, opened the fastest-growing general aviation exhibition in the region. He toured the exhibition to view the latest trends and innovations in the general aviation industry.

The show is taking place at Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi’s dedicated business aviation airport, and will conclude tomorrow.

The airport welcomed nearly 5,138 aircraft in 2013 and recorded approximately 1,295 visiting aircraft using the airport last year.

Running alongside the three-day show is a unique art exhibition by artist Shaikha Al Yazia bint Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan that features paper planes installation from her Spontaneity Series art collection.

“The private aviation market is witnessing tremendous growth in Abu Dhabi and the wider region, and the numbers speak for themselves. The companies participating at the show stand to gain a unique vantage point to reach out to vibrant markets across the GCC region, including the Middle East, North Africa and South and East Asia region,” Al Mansoori added.

The show has attracted more international and local exhibitors’ participation than ever before with over 170 companies showcasing latest innovations and development in the aviation sector.

The show has grown 30 per cent this year in terms of size and more than 17,000 visitors are expected to cruise the aisles looking at more than 80,000sqm of the latest in general aviation technology.