Mr James Holmes, Managing Director, Limelight Middle East
James.Holmes@limelightprme.com/ + 971 50 114 2216
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 11, 2012 – Today, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced a joint initiative to work together to further promote and develop business aviation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
“Our two associations share a strong sense of purpose and have decided to work together more closely. The Middle East and North Africa region is of growing importance for business aviation, and we want to ensure it develops to its full potential” said GAMA President and CEO, Pete Bunce. “It is important we combine our efforts to ensure business aviation is treated fairly, with proportional rules implemented across the region. I am looking forward to working closely together on this new initiative with our friends at MEBAA, given their vital role representing the business aviation operators’ community in this important part of the world.”
“Our joint initiative to work together to further promote and develop business aviation in the MENA region has come at an opportune time when the region is on the threshold of rapid expansion in this sector of aviation" said Founding Chairman, MEBAA, Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi. "It is a step in the right direction to synergize the experience of both associations for the orderly growth of this industry in the region that is still in the developing phase" said Founding Chairman of MEBAA, Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi.
The objective of this joint effort is to transform the regulatory environment by encouraging civil aviation authorities in the region to adopt a common set of principles to facilitate business aviation operations. “Business aviation is not commercial aviation and should not be regulated as such; it needs access to airports and airspace, airport infrastructure tailored to its needs, and the freedom to operate with flexibility and agility,” Bunce stated. MEBAA Founding Chairman Al Naqbi added, “the single biggest obstacle to the full development of business aviation in our region is the lack of an appropriate regulatory framework tailored to the particular needs of business aviation. Through this partnership we aim to change that.”
GAMA and MEBAA will leverage the expertise resident in their member companies as well as their extensive global experience to develop a “best practices” set of common principles that regulatory authorities could adopt. The aim is to have appropriate regulations focused on safety that will facilitate business aviation operations while allowing authorities to focus their scarce resources more efficiently.
About GAMA
GAMA is the international trade association representing over 80 of the world’s leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, rotorcraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA’s members also operate fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, completion centres, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, as well as pilot training and maintenance training facilities. GAMA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with a branch office in Brussels. For additional information, visit GAMA’s website at www.GAMA.aero.
About MEBAA
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (“MEBAA”) is the official representative of the business aviation industry in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region and is a member of the International Business Aviation Council (“IBAC”). MEBAA is a non-profit association established in 2006 with the mission to provide a platform for members of the business aviation industry in the MENA region to gather, understand and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry.
As part of its current growth strategy, MEBAA seeks to implement operational safety and efficiency by providing best in-practice training, lectures and conferences, establishing codes of conduct, and providing industry data. Today, MEBAA represents over 190 companies within the MENA region and provides a number of products and services to its members, including the MAIS insurance scheme for operators. In addition to various networking events, MEBAA hosts the MEBA Show, which ranks as the third largest business aviation show in the world. For more information please visit www.mebaa.com