Aircraft manufacturers eye lucrative Middle-East market

The Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show, which took place from 7-9 December, 2010 reflected the region's strong business aviation industry, attracting over 6,000 visitors from 77 countries.

It is a case of see, buy and fly in the Middle East market, which is the world's most important for top-of-the-line and wide-body corporate jets, said John Leahy, Airbus' Chief Operating Officer.

The company recently reported a delivery of more than half of its corporate jets in 2010 to Persian Gulf clients. In fact, the only privately owned Airbus A380 jet belongs to a billionaire from Saudi, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

At MEBA this year, a number of deals and purchases were made including a $285 million agreement between Bombardier Aerospace and two middle-east firms.

One of the firms ordered for two Bombardier Global 7000 business aircraft, in a deal worth $130 million at list price while a second one ordered for five mid-size Learjet 85s and two large-cabin Challenger 605 jets, worth a total of $155 million at list price.

The concept of fractional jet ownerships has also witnessed a rise in the region. With a number of companies like Cessna offering options for fractional ownerships, growing interest is seen among Gulf clients in investing in the business jet market.