Fujairah International Airport, here at the MEBA show for the first time (Booth No. C740), is touting the benefits business aircraft operators can find at a site that is far less crowded than Dubai International Airport. Fujairah has a new FBO and, from 2011, a new highway in and out of the emirate will shorten the 48-mile drive to the center of Dubai to about an hour.

"We want to highlight business aviation opportunities on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates," Charles Hajdu, strategy and business development manager, told AIN. He maintained that Fujairah's airport is close enough to the centers of business and population in the northern Emirates. The airport management team is keen on integrating its development plans with those of the Fujairah government. "If a company has an interest in establishing its business in Fujairah, we offer assistance in sponsorship and obtaining a trade license," Hajdu said.

At the airport, business jet operators will find low charges for landing, parking and handling. In addition to the new dedicated business aviation terminal, hangars and maintenance workshops are available.

"We are about to expand the apron to create a dedicated business aircraft parking, next to the business aviation terminal," Hajdu said. Additional infrastructure, such as catering and hotels, are a few minutes drive from the airpo