Eyeing BIAS 2018

Close on the heels of the stupendous success of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS 2016), the organisers informed that the next edition of the show would be held from November 14 to 16 2018, a change from its usual January slot on the aerospace events calendar.

According to them, by the close of business on day three, the total value of orders reached $9 billion, more than triple the 2014 figure.

In a press conference, the organisers confirmed that participation was also at an all-time high with more than 135 participating companies. Visitor numbers were also up with attendance figures for both the public and trade days at over 30,000.

Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS Kamal Ahmed said: “The total deals signed during the fourth edition of the Bahrain International Airshow is a reflection of the event’s success and growth prospects. With each edition of the show, we continue to see new participation as well as returning participants.”

Adam Thomas, UK Spokesman for Defence and Security Exports, UKTI said that BIAS16 was “a unique opportunity for both the UK Government and business to network with senior Bahrainis and other Gulf States” and that “the event provides an outstanding business to business networking environment.”

The change of date for the next edition of BIAS is a result of continued success and growth for the Airshow, with 2016 seeing the biggest show to date with participation up by 60 per cent since the first show in 2010, the Exhibition Feature Pavilion growing nearly 50 per cent since 2014 and more international presence than ever. The decision has been made to move the dates of the show to an alternate year to Dubai in a similar format the Paris and Farnborough International Airshows work to.

Speaking about the date change, Kamal Ahmed said: “The Middle East civil aerospace market is growing at an exponential rate with the number of new airports in development in the region, including Bahrain’s own Airport Modernisation Programme. We want to provide the aerospace industry with more opportunities to do business in the region and the date change will help accommodate this.”

“The success and growth of the Bahrain International Airshow has shown there is a clear desire and demand for two major international airshows in the Middle East. Moving our show to November will allow both shows to operate successfully,” he added.