Air show date set
THE sixth edition of Bahrain’s premier aviation show which was cancelled due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic last year will now be held next year.
The three-day Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) will be held on November 9-11, 2022 at the Sakhir Airbase under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
Announcing the dates yesterday, His Majesty the King’s Personal Representative and BIAS High Organising Committee chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa said Bahrain hopes to benefit from the mega event to create a value-added work environment by attracting major civil and military aviation manufacturing firms.
He stressed the importance of the vital aviation industry sector, which makes up eight per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), employing more than 200 million people and contributing $3.5 trillion to the global economy.
He commended the government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for supporting the exhibition, hailing the co-operation of ministries and other agencies which ensured the success of the show since its inception.
Shaikh Abdulla also underlined the importance of the show in promoting Bahrain as an investment destination and business friendly hub, noting its role in revitalising the national economy and purveying jobs.
The biennial show is organised by the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry and the Royal Bahraini Air Force in association with Farnborough International.
Shaikh Abdulla assigned Transportation and Telecommunications Minister and BIAS High Organising Committee Deputy chairman Kamal Ahmed to sign an agreement with the UK company to organise the 2022 and 2024 editions of the exhibition.
Farnborough International is a leading company in the field of exhibitions on the international scene and is well known for organising the Farnborough International Air Show which has been hosted by the UK every two years for nearly 60 years.
“There are indications that BIAS 2022 will witness a large participation of the latest civil and military aircraft and flying vehicles,” said Mr Ahmed.
He added that some of the best aerobatics demonstration teams will take part for the first time in the upcoming exhibition.
Ministers and heads of companies participating in the exhibition will take part in a conference on the sidelines of the exhibition.
The mega event will also feature an international military forum organised by the Royal Bahraini Air Force at the level of the Chiefs of Staff, in addition to entertainment programmes for families, individuals and young people in an area specially designated for the general public.
The minister who was attending the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London, held a series of meetings on the sidelines with official delegations to promote BIAS 2022.
A number of leading world companies agreed to take part in BIAS 2022, including British BAE System, US Lockheed Martin, Italian Leonardo, Bell Helicopter, French Thales and US Coleman Group.
Mr Ahmed also held meetings with Saudi General Authority for Military Industries, the British Department for International Trade and other major firms.
Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/977388/Air-show-date-set
