Manama: Total value of orders at Bahrain International Airshow 2016 reached $9 billion (Dh33 billion), more than triple the 2014 figure, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS said.
The figure includes aircraft orders for national carrier Gulf Air and a number of contracts to support Bahrain’s Airport Modernisation programme.
“The total deals signed during the fourth edition of the Bahrain International Airshow is a reflection of the event’s success and growth prospects which we have seen over the years in the total number of visitors, delegations, companies, and countries’ representation,” Kamal Bin Ahmad Mohammad, said. “With each edition of the show, we continue to see new participation as well as returning participants which include some of the biggest names in the aviation industry worldwide. We are delighted to see the participants choosing BIAS to make their announcements and conduct their business and we look forward to creating further new opportunities in the next edition.”
Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, on Thursday announced restructured orders of 45 aircraft with Boeing and Airbus in deals worth a combined total of $7.6 billion. The orders consist of 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 17 Airbus A321neo and 12 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The deliveries of these aircraft will commence from the second quarter of 2018.
The orders follow extensive negotiations with both aircraft manufacturers to revise Gulf Air’s previous orders with Boeing and Airbus.
Expanding event
The organisers said that the dates for the next edition of the show will be November 14-16, 2018, a change from its usual January slot on the aerospace events calendar. To accommodate this growth and expand the event further, the decision has been made to move the dates of the show to an alternate year to Dubai in a similar format the Paris and Farnborough International Airshows work to.
“The Middle East civil aerospace market is growing at an exponential rate evidenced by the number of new airports in development in the region including Bahrain’s own Airport Modernisation Programme,” the minister said in comments about the date change. “We want to provide the aerospace industry with more opportunities to do business in the region and the date change will help accommodate this. The success and growth of the Bahrain International Airshow has shown there is a clear desire and demand for two major international air shows in the Middle East. Moving our show to November will allow both shows to operate successfully and showcase the strength of the aviation industry in the region.”
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