Rabat – The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) will be returning to Marrakech for its 2019 MEBAA Morocco airshow. The airshow will take place from September 17th to the 19th at Menara airport, and will feature products from top aviation companies around the world like Gulfstream and Boeing.
MEBAA is a non-profit Emirati organization that acts as a “platform for members of the business aviation industry in the MENA region to gather, understand and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry,” according to MEBAA.
Aviation has grown in Africa, keeping up with the increase in business and tourism. Swiss research company Air Transport Action Group says the aviation industry generated 55.8 billion USD in 2016 and supported about 6.2 million jobs. That is in addition to the 35.9 billion USD generated from tourism. As these figures grow, business and government leaders are seeking to profit immensely throughout the continent.
The 2017 MEBAA Morocco also took place in Marrakech, at Menara airport. Minister of Tourism Mohammed Sajid led the delegation of government officials that attended the forum and took part in the opening ceremonies alongside the CEO of the Moroccan Airports Authority Zouhair El Aoufir. Menara airport alone contributes to roughly 40 percent of air movements every year in the country, according to experts.
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MEBAA predicts this forum will be another success for both the organization as well as the Moroccan aviation industry. Ali Alnaqbi, the executive chairman of MEBAA said “We are pleased to be bringing the MEBAA Show Morocco and MEBAA Conference back to Marrakech for 2019,” according to news sources. The venue of MEBAA Morocco changed to Menara airport from Mohammed V in Casablanca, where the first MEBAA Morocco was held in 2015.
The event has already brought positive growth to the country, with aviation companies Jetex Flight Support and Swissport Executive Aviation reaching agreements to operate in the country. In addition, nine additional Fixed-Base Operating(FBOs) in the process of setting up at Moroccan airports as well. These companies will be able to provide maintenance services, flight instruction, fueling, and other services at the airports.
As business investments and tourism begin to flood Africa, MEBAA predict that “Due to its strategic location between Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of Africa,” the country will become a popular future hub for travelling throughout the region, and with the right investment, a prime source of capital for international businesses and the Moroccan government.
