Abu Dhabi Air Expo to be held in November at Al Bateen airport

More than 100 aircraft, from ultra-light to heavy business jets, will be on display during the three-day event

Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2022 is scheduled to take place from November 1 to 3 at Al Bateen Executive Airport. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

Abu Dhabi Air Expo will be held at Al Bateen Executive Airport in the capital this year, as the travel industry continues its recovery from the effect of the coronavirus pandemic thanks to an easing of government travel restrictions.

The event, which will run from November 1 to 3, is expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors and host more than 300 manufacturers and suppliers, a statement from Abu Dhabi Airports on Tuesday said.

“The continuation of this event, the tenth in the series, reinforces the position of Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for general aviation, and of Al Bateen Executive Airport as a catalyst for its ongoing development,” said Shareef Al Hashmi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports.

“We’re confident it will enable the forward-thinking, networking and business discussions that will power the sector’s growth.”

Global passenger traffic is on track to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, with the outlook unchanged by the Omicron coronavirus variant, although the Russia-Ukraine conflict poses near-term risks, the International Air Transport Association said.

The number of travellers is expected to reach four billion in 2024, more than double pre-coronavirus levels recorded in 2019, IATA said this month.

Governments are easing restrictions to stimulate demand for travel. India this week resumed all international flights, and Emirates airline said it is restoring its flight schedule between Dubai and India to full capacity from April 1.

The Abu Dhabi Air Expo will feature the latest innovations in private jet aircraft, helicopters, executive charter services, airport equipment and services, avionics systems, insurance and financing, Abu Dhabi Airports, which is part of holding company ADQ, said.

More than 100 aircraft, from ultralight to heavy business jets, are expected to be on display during the event.

This year’s event will involve a new format that divides the exhibition into three areas: aircraft hangar, chalets and outdoor static display.

It will also feature a conference programme focusing on the industry's latest developments.

“There is a high demand from across the sector and we’re anticipating record numbers,” Didier Mary, general manager of Abu Dhabi Air Expo, said.

The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (Mebaa) Show, one of the leading events of its kind, will also be held in Dubai this year from December 6 to 8 at Dubai World Central Airport.