The inaugural Bahrain International Airshow has been pronounced a resounding success for the aviation industry as a whole and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The event, organised by Farnborough International and Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority, hosted 40 exhibitors, 94 aircraft and visiting delegates from 45 countries and early indications show $1-billion-worth of deals were signed at the show with 30,000 people visiting the public and trade areas over the three days.

Amongst the deals Yemenia, Yemen’s national carrier, signed to purchase ten A320 aeroplanes from Airbus; Bahrain bought nine Blackhawk-M helicopters from US manufacturer, Sikorsky; Gulf Air announced a preliminary agreement to lease two Embraer 170 jets; Selex was awarded a $15-million-contract by the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority for primary surveillance radar and two Mode-S secondary surveillance radars at Bahrain International Airport; Bahrain Air initiated talks to purchase two Airbus planes and Boeing announced it is to deliver 1,700 aircraft to the Middle East in the next 20 years. 

The UK’s Aerospace Defence and Security organisation announced it has chosen the island to act as the central hub for the Middle East. And in further news, Gulf Aviation Academy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, was launched and will play a key role in the development of Bahrain’s air-transport training and infrastructure.

Chairman of the supreme organising committee, Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifha said: “We are delighted by the results of the first Bahrain International Air Show. The show brought manufacturers and users under the same roof enabling them to do business effectively and uniquely, reflecting Bahrain’s status as a regional centre for transport and trade.

“The strong presence of the leading aerospace and defence manufacturers signalled the inaugural show’s success and reflected Bahrain’s status as a pioneer in the aerospace industry in the Middle East. The air show is a welcome boost to Bahrain’s economy and to its profile as a business centre in the region.”

Captain Abdulrahman Al Gaoud, vice president of the supreme organising committee added: “The Bahrain International Airshow was tailored to meet the needs of the aerospace industry.

Visitors admire the exhibits

“With Farnborough International, we were able to create a bespoke event attracting major aerospace players from around the globe.

“Over the coming weeks we will be carefully evaluating the final figures for business transacted at the airshow and created by the airshow but what is clear so far, is that the event has been a tremendous success.”

Exhibitors at the show included some of the biggest names in the field from BAE Systems, Tag Aeronautics, Boeing and Sikorsky to Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Gulfstream and Lockheed Martin.

Trade visitors had the chance to look over a replica of the new BAE unmanned aircraft system, which proved a huge draw in the security-conscious Gulf.

The show also presented the world’s first operational displays from unmanned aerial vehicles as well as some extremely impressive flying from the likes of the Royal Jordanian Falcons, the Saudi Hawks and the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 SKM which had the crowd, both trade and public, gasping in amazement.