Dubai: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for physical distancing will lead to an increase in private flying and growth in business aviation, a senior industry body official said.
Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Executive Chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), highlighted that there are significant opportunities for development of the sector.
“Business aviation has always had some degree of natural physical distancing in place and as such it is less difficult for companies within this industry to adapt to the new normal,” said Alnaqbi.“We expect to see an increase in demand in private flying and we will see opportunities open up. We are witnessing new groups of people who usually used to fly on commercial airlines now choosing to fly privately.”
Private terminals with fewer staff on board can deal with the impact of COVID-19 more effectively, he was quoted as saying in a statement.
Alnaqbi is optimistic about the prospects of business aviation for 2021 and highlighted that ensuring health and safety is the number one priority for the industry.
The MEBAA Show, a leading business aviation platform, is set to return to Dubai in December. The event will showcase the latest technologies, insights and business opportunities shaping the future of business aviation in the Middle East and across the globe.
