The third annual Abu Dhabi Air Expo opens at Al Bateen Executive Airport on Tuesday. The three-day event (February 25-27), which has become a prominent fixture of the Arabian Gulf general aviation sector, will feature more than 100 aircraft. Around 13,000 visitors are expected by the 170 exhibiting companies.

In 2013, Al Bateen Executive Airport achieved an 18-percent increase in visiting business aviation traffic during 2013, and a 6-percent rise in commercial movements. The airport, which is part of the government-owned Abu Dhabi Airports Company, has its own FBO called DhabiJet.

Air Expo is sponsored by ADAC, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Transport. Charter operator ADA, which claims to be the Middle East’s largest commercial helicopter operator, operates 61 helicopters (15 Agusta Westland AW139s, 23 Bell 412s, 19 Bell 212s and 4 Bell 206s) as well as three Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 twin turboprops (with two more on order).

Over 100 aircraft representing a range of models from ultra-light to heavy business jets, including a BBJ737, an Airbus ACJ320-type corporate jet and the Gulfstream G650, will be exhibited at the Air Expo show. Exhibitors include leading regional players such as Royal Jet, Saudia Private Aviation, Qatar Executive and Falcon Aviation Services.

AIN will provide news updates from the show at AINonline.com.