Bahrain Airshow expects record number of visitors

Held under the patronage of HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the BIAS Supreme Organising Committee and personal representative to His Majesty the King, BIAS occupies a strategic position on the global aerospace calendar, bringing some of the world’s leading and most influential organisations to the Sakhir Airbase.

Although one of the Middle East’s youngest shows, in just eight years BIAS has seen major expansion making it the fastest-growing show in the region: 

• Exhibitor numbers for 2018 are up by 70 per cent compared with the previous show

• The Exhibition Hall has doubled in size 

• There are four new country pavilions including the US and Russia

• Regional heavyweights all set to participate, with largest ever Saudi Arabia and United   Arab Emirates’ presence

• 11 out of the world’s top 15 aerospace companies are exhibiting

• More than 100 aircraft flying and on static display 

Fuelling this is Bahrain’s growing status as a transportation hub along with BIAS’s commitment to creating innovative show features and a world-class commercial environment.   

His Excellency Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Bahrain Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication said: “BIAS 2018 will bring international business and senior government figures from across the region together in one location. It will be our most engaging and diverse yet with a packed schedule of events including a three-day delegation programme, a focused conference programme and an insightful exhibition showcasing the latest in technology and innovation."

He added: "The regional aviation industry is growing fast and Bahrain is better positioned than ever to provide opportunities to leverage this. From our investment in airport and aviation related infrastructure and technologies, to being a regional leader in regulations and human talent development, the aviation industry’s contribution to economic development is at new heights.” 

BIAS capitalises on Bahrain’s strategically important location as a gateway to the Gulf and underscores the Kingdom’s internationally recognised reputation as being a pro-business environment.

Amanda Stainer, Commercial Director for Farnborough International, co-organisers of the Bahrain International Airshow, says: “When we created the Bahrain International Airshow on behalf of the Kingdom we could not have predicted the pace and scale at which it has grown. Since the first event in 2010, the show has seen it exhibitor base increase by 70% and a 75% increase in visitor numbers. It is now one of the regions most important and influential trade events.”

Air Display

The Bahrain International Airshow always delivers one of the most exciting and varied air displays on the circuit. As well as fast jets and the very latest in business and civil aviation, the show will also feature some aerobatic flying displays some new to the show; the sky above the Sakhir Airbase will be a focus for one of the world’s best aviation showcases. 

Conferences

On 13 November, the Royal Bahraini Air Force hosts the second Manana Air Power Symposium, bringing together air force chiefs and leading experts from across the region to address emerging issues.

BIAS again unites aerospace and airport infrastructure with a conference entitled “Into the Future: Challenges and Opportunities for Gulf Region Airports and Airlines”, inviting industry leaders and experts to share experience and expertise. This conference continues a theme started in 2016 when the show served as the backdrop to around $1.1bn in contracts being signed as part of the upgrade to Bahrain International Airport’s infrastructure and services.

A Women in Aviation conference on the third day of the show will serve as a valuable forum for women across the industry to discuss seizing opportunities for career development in the aviation field. 

The BIAS FINN Sessions are a free-to-attend programme of conferences located in a theatre in the heart of the exhibition hall. Organised in conjunction with FINN – the Farnborough International News Network, the BIAS FINN Sessions will enable exhibitors to share their knowledge and experiences. 

Space

Space is a major focus for BIAS 2018, a dedicated exhibition has attracted a number of space research centres and organisations including the UAE Space Agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), Roscosmos and Information Satellite Systems. This presents a valuable knowledge-sharing opportunity particularly for the Bahrain Space Team who will be presenting their latest work on nanosatellite technology.