AfBAA launches AfBAA Expo

                          
The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) will be launching AfBAA Expo. This new event will focus solely on the African Business Aviation sector and will run in conjunction with the Marrakech Airshow April 23-26, 2014.

The formal agreement was signed at EBACE, by Tarek Ragheb and Frédéric Le Hénaff exhibition director of the Marrakech Airshow.

The show will allow companies to host and display their products, with chalets and booths with apron space for an extensive aircraft static display. There will be opportuntities for exhibitors to fly and demonstrate aircraft and helicopters to potential customers.

As an international airport and also a military base, exhibitors as well as visitors will benefit from the distinct advantages of a high level of security, straightforward logistical operations and excellent access control to the AfBAA Expo area.

The show has been initiated in response to demand from AfBAA members and the African Business Aviation market in general which does not currently have a dedicated Business Aviation exhibition or conference.

This will be the first time that Marrakech Airshow will have an integrated business aviation component and reflects the growing importance of the sector to the African continent.

“AfBAA is extremely active on behalf of our members and African Business Aviation in general and the launch of this event will be an historic moment for Business Aviation in Africa,” commented Ragheb. “The Association’s commitment to launch a dedicated show demonstrates AfBAA’s pledge to bring together African aviation companies from a wide variety of sectors. It is an exciting proposition for AfBAA to be collaborating with a prestigious Airshow like Marrakech and we know it will be a great success,” he continued.

The concept was initially suggested in March when AfBAA held its first general meeting of the year in Rabat. “The fact that our Executive Team led by Rady Fahmy was able to transform the idea into an agreement in less than three months shows excellent execution and strong leadership from our Board. This underlines AfBAA’s capabilities to efficiently and professionally support new ideas on behalf of its members” commented Ragheb.

Frédéric Le Hénaff, exhibition director of Marrakech Airshow said, “Whilst the commercial side of aviation has been struggling on the African continent the business aircraft market in Africa is expanding rapidly. We see African Business Aviation attracting investors and interest from across the globe which is why we’re delighted to work with AfBAA and to host AfBAA Expo in 2014. Business Aviation has not been our main focus for the first three editions and it will certainly add extra value for our regular visitors.”