AfBAA Expo gains momentum with commitment from leading international OEM.

Thursday 30th January 2014

With just three months to go until the launch of Africa's first ever dedicated Business Aviation exhibition, AfBAA Expo, which will take place in Marrakech 23 - 26 April 2014, the organisers, the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and IEC, are pleased to announce the participation of leading aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) alongside a significant number of Business Aviation services. The exhibition, which will run in conjunction with the Marrakech Airshow, has received confirmed chalet sponsorship and static display commitments from Beechcraft, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Embraer and Gulfstream, all of which recognize the value of a truly integrated event that represents the complete spectrum of the continent's Business Aviation activity.

The show, which will be located at Marrakech's FRA Airport, will cover 50,000 square meters with a layout that will enable the OEMs to arrange dedicated demonstration flights directly from the static display owing to ease of access to the runway for take-off and landing. A key differentiator between this and other aviation exhibitions is that the formula for the show has been developed by key African Business Aviation leaders represented by AfBAA. Their extensive experience working with leading OEMs and their specific understanding of the requirements of the African Business Aviation community has resulted in an exhibition that will add value for all exhibitors and attendees. "We have created a show that really gets to the heart of what the Business Aviation community in Africa needs as it further strengthens its position on the global stage," states Tarek Ragheb, Chairman of AfBAA about the event. "We are committed to encouraging participation, discussion and debate amongst delegates about adopting best practice and standards ensuring sustainable business growth and creating a true pan-African network to support Business Aviation."

To fulfil its advocacy commitment in Africa, AfBAA continues to lobby governments and civil aviation authorities to participate in the growth of the sector. Consequently in addition to the regular static display opportunity, chalets and exhibition booths AfBAA Expo is organizing a gala dinner which will provide a springboard for an evening of networking between exhibitors, delegates and authorities at the event.  This will be complemented by a prestigious evening event which sees business aircraft owners exclusively invited to a private gala dinner. The dinner aims to provide OEMs with the opportunity to meet HNWI, VIP executives, and government figures to discover more about their growing needs on the African continent. It is anticipated that the newly created AfBAA Expo will provide a lively sales and transaction environment supported by the continued expansion of the Business Aviation sector in Africa.  This will be the first time that the Marrakech Airshow will have an integrated Business Aviation component and reflects the growing importance of the sector to the African continent.

"AfBAA is extremely excited by the prospect of the show and expects that the African aviation community will welcome the opportunities provided to meet with the key relevant players in the market" commented Rady Fahmy, Executive Director of AfBAA. "The Association's pledge to bring together African aviation companies from a wide variety of sectors is paramount to generating successful future business and with seven of the world's leading growth economies to be found on the continent we know that a significant amount of business will take place during the show," he continued.

About AfBAA:

The African Business Aviation Association was launched in May 2012 to represent the interests of the Africa's aircraft owners, operators, and suppliers to the Business Aviation community in a single voice. AfBAA currently has over 50 members in total.

AfBAA's primary objective is to promote the understanding and benefits that Business Aviation provides for the continent's economic development and prosperity through advocacy.

As an active, well funded, professionally run organisation AfBAA is committed to increasing membership, raising awareness of the Association internally and externally in Africa and supporting all entities involved in Business Aviation in Africa.

Chairman Tarek Ragheb, and Executive Director is Rady Fahmy, work with the Founding Members to lead development of the Association.

www.afbaa.org