The third annual Abu Dhabi Air Expo, which opened today at Al Bateen Executive Airport, has become a prominent fixture of the Arabian Gulf general aviation sector, with about 13,000 visitors and 170 exhibiting companies at this year’s event. Air Expo is sponsored by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Aviation and the UAE Ministry of Transport.

More than 100 aircraft are also on static display during the three-day. This ranges from piston singles such as the Cessna 172 and Diamond DA40 to ultra-long-range jets such as the Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier Global 6000 to bizliners such as the BBJ and Airbus ACJ320. Exhibitors include leading regional players such as Royal Jet, Saudia Private Aviation, Qatar Executive and Falcon Aviation Services.

In 2013, Al Bateen Executive Airport achieved an 18-percent increase in visiting business aviation traffic, as well as a 6-percent rise in airliner movements. The airport, which is part of government-owned ADAC, operates the DhabiJet FBO at the field.