BIAS 2016 kicks off bicentenary of Bahraini-British relations celebrations

The fourth edition of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) will celebrate a pivotal point in British-Bahraini relations, commemorating the 200 year anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries, when the two nations signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1816.

A special area within the Feature Pavilion at the show will be dedicated to the long-standing aviation relationship between the two nations. 


BAE Systems, a major UK participant at BIAS, has created a special Heritage display, which will include a selection of heritage models and graphics celebrating the UK’s military and civil aviation involvement in Bahrain from the 1920s to present day.


A World War II Super marine Spitfire, which will be assembled by Bahraini students, will be displayed outside the exhibition hall. The Spitfire, on loan from the Royal Air Force Museum (RAF), will be in Bahrain specifically to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Bahrain-British relations. 


As the 40th year anniversary of the first Concorde flight to Bahrain will coincide with the dates of the show, a scale model of Concorde with graphics will also be on display as part of BAE Systems’ Heritage display. 


RAF has created an additional display celebrating the Royal Air Forces historical links with the Bahrain Air Force. 


Moreover, the company’s stand in the Feature Pavilion will focus on the Air sector, demonstrated through scale models and interactive presentations. A full scale replica of Eurofighter Typhoon will be exhibited alongside the Spitfire outside the exhibition hall, whilst models of Typhoon, Hawk and BAE 146 will be displayed at the stand. The Striker II Helmet and the Eurofighter Typhoon Cockpit Simulator will give visitors the opportunity to experience the aircraft themselves, before seeing an RAF Typhoon flying as part of the daily display programme at the show.


As well as this impressive line-up of features, British participation is also at its strongest with UK SMEs able to participate at the show through a UK Partnership pavilion organised in conjunction with ADS, the trade organisation supporting British aerospace, defence, space and security industries, and UKTI (UK Trade and Investment), the government organisation that works with British business to support them in international markets. In addition to BAE Systems, other British companies participating at the event include Rolls Royce, Rusada, Indigo Vision, Eskan Electronics and Instro Precision.


Speaking about the 200th anniversary celebrations, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications for the Kingdom of Bahrain and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee for BIAS, said, "BIAS 2016 is an ideal platform for us to celebrate the long standing aviation ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Great Britain. Bahrain’s strategic location as a gateway to the Middle East and open business approach has made the Kingdom a favoured location for British investment in general and in the aviation industry in particular, and we hope to see that continue in the future."


On this occasion, Simon Martin CMG, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain, said "We are delighted to see strong British participation at the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) once again this year. Global British companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce will be represented together with other leading companies within Britain’s aviation sector supported by the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). Having just marked the beginning of the UK-Bahrain bicentenary celebrations, the Air Show is opportune and will serve as a strong platform to connect British businesses with the aviation industry. It is also a fantastic opportunity to commemorate the UK and Bahrain’s joint accomplishments in aviation over the years where we will be showcasing our aviation heritage and history, including Concorde’s inaugural commercial flight from London to Bahrain.


Amanda Stainer, Commercial Director for Farnborough International Ltd, added, "The first day of the show marks another significant milestone in Bahraini-British relations, being the 40th anniversary for British Airways Concorde’s first commercial flight landing in Bahrain from London. BIAS 2016 promises to be an exciting show with the event now over subscribed and more aircraft participating at the show than ever before."


Since its first show in 2010, BIAS has grown in reputation as a focused global aviation event providing its elite list of aerospace business participants the opportunity for high-level networking in exclusive surroundings. 


In 2014 the event grew to include an exhibition feature and the forthcoming show will feature further networking opportunities including a one-day conference, IATA Seminar and Hosted-Buyer Programme. Aircraft participation currently stands at over 100 aircraft including the Russian Knights, two Typhoons, the T129 ATAK helicopter for Turkish Aircraft Industries, and an F-22 for the USAF.