The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA; Booth P099) is rebranding its biennial gathering in Dubai, henceforth the MEBAA Show (rather than MEBA), founding chairman Ali Alnaqbi said here at EBACE. “Now we’ll put all our activities under the association name.”

Following that convention, Al Naqbi noted the association will host MEBAA Show Morocco, in Casablanca, September 1-2 this year. “This is the first time we’ll put on a full show outside of Dubai,” Alnaqbi said. “Morocco is a very promising market.”

The Association is targeting 50 key companies to exhibit at Show Morocco. “We don’t want to start large, we want to mange growth,” Alnaqbi said. Bell Helicopter, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Tag Aviation are among those who’ve already confirmed their attendance. Some 25 static aircraft and 2,500 attendees are also expected.

Alnaqbi said the Moroccan government is eager “to promote business aviation in all of Morocco,” and has asked MEBAA to help. As part of its effort, the government will develop Tit Milel Airport outside of Casablanca as the country’s first dedicated business aviation airport. MEBAA will advise the country’s government on selecting an FBO for the field.

Insurance Benefits

MEBAA itself, now with 240 registered members, is growing, in part due to programs like the MEBAA Aviation Insurance Scheme (MAIS), which provides members with reduced insurance rates and improved benefits though group coverage. Initially offered to aircraft operators and owners (some 70 aircraft are now insured through the plan), coverage is now available for FBOs, MROs and other aviation businesses. “This is exactly what members want, it’s really a direct value,” said Al Naqbi. MAIS can save an operator with 10 aircraft “around $100,000” per year, he said.

In Geneva, MEBAA is “here to support out peer associations: NBAA and EBACE,” he said. “We all have one objective: to support business aviation globally.”