Manama : His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), chaired the first meeting of the committee at Sakhir Air Base, where the BIAS will take place from November 13-15, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad emphasised that the seventh edition of the event, marking 14 years since its establishment in 2010, reflects the strategic vision and directives of His Majesty the King that support achieving significant and sustained success across various sectors.
HH Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the continued follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who has directed all ministries, institutions, and government bodies to collaborate to ensure the success of this major event for the Kingdom.
He noted that the ongoing success of the BIAS demonstrates the Kingdom’s progress in hosting major international exhibitions and conferences, particularly in aviation, research, technology, and space sciences. He stressed the importance of continuing efforts to develop and sustain the aviation sector, which plays a vital role in supporting the national economy and creating diverse opportunities for Bahrain’s youth in areas of innovation and development.
Major General Staff Pilot Mohammad BaHussain Al Musallam, Commander of Sakhir Air Base; senior officials from Farnborough International and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the preparations and plans for the airshow. HH Shaikh Abdullah underscored the need to harness all available resources to deliver a successful event, building on the airshow’s strong regional and international reputation.
HH Shaikh Abdullah also emphasised the importance of engaging various sectors of society to benefit from the airshow, particularly by facilitating partnerships with global companies and offering opportunities for skill development in scientific, engineering, and technological fields, particularly in aviation and space sciences.
He directed that universities should be involved in showcasing their expertise in science, computing, and artificial intelligence during the event. Additionally, 5,000 students from public and private schools will be invited to the family-friendly entertainment area, where they can enjoy daily air displays and participate in educational workshops designed to inspire interest in aviation and future sciences.
HH Shaikh Abdullah stressed the importance of attracting international companies to the airshow by offering incentives and competitive participation packages, noting the region’s strong competition in hosting similar events. He also highlighted the crucial role of marketing and promotion in ensuring the event’s success, contributing to Bahrain’s economy through the participation of global companies and visitors, which would benefit sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transportation, and retail.
This year’s Bahrain International Airshow will feature leading global companies in civil and military aviation, including Boeing, Gulfstream, BAE Systems, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, CFM International, Lockheed Martin, Thales Group, Indra Sistemas, Embraer, Leonardo S.p.A, Bell Helicopter, among others. For the first time, 13 companies from Europe, the USA, China, Malaysia, and Thailand specialising in airport ground services will participate, alongside international aviation institutes offering educational opportunities for visitors.
The 2024 edition will also showcase new aircraft in aerial displays, including the B52, F35, Typhoon, F16, Mirage 2000, the Saudi Hawks and the Boeing commercial airplane 787 Dreamliner. Nearly 100 aircraft, ranging from commercial and business jets to cargo and small planes, will be on static display.
HH Shaikh Abdullah expressed his appreciation to the various government entities supporting the event, including the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Bahrain Defence Force, the Royal Bahraini Air Force, which will organise the Manama Air Power Leaders Forum, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and its affiliates, the National Guard, the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Health.
He also extended his thanks to the sponsors, including Beyon, the main sponsor, Cityneon Holdings from Singapore, Bapco Energies, Gulf Air, Alba, Bahrain Duty Free, Bahrain Airport Services, First Motors-Genesis, DHL, Tamkeen, and Al Salam Bank.
He commended the role of private sector companies in supporting the airshow and encouraged businesses and investors to seize opportunities to network and secure deals during the event.
Tickets for the public will be available through the official website at a special price of BD 10 for access to the trade area, while the entertainment area for families and children will be open for BD 5, with free entry for children under 16.
