Bahrain International Airshow 2014 Ready for Take-Off

Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation (MoT), has confirmed that more than 22,000 trade visitors are expected to visit the 3rd Edition of the Kingdom’s Airshow over the next three days (Thursday 16th January to Saturday 18th January).

The Bahrain International Airshow which is organised by MoT in cooperation with the Royal Bahrain Air Force under the close supervision of HM the King's Personal Representative and Head of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS, HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, takes place at the Sakhir Base, under the patronage of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Around 60 aircraft will be on static display in the trade and public areas of the Airshow, including military aircraft from the US, the UK, France, Turkey and Russia; and commercial aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, Gulfstream, Embraer and Cessna. Another 50 aircraft will be taking to the skies for the daily four-hour flying displays.

Highlights will include an opening by Royal Baharini Air Force formation display and military aircraft such as the RAF Typhoon, the USAF B-1 and F-22 Raptor and UAE Air Force F-16 and Mirage 2000-9, aerobatic displays by the UAE’s Al Fursan, the Saudi Hawks and the Russian Knights; and parachuting displays by Bahrain Royal special Forces and the Red Devils team.

A restored Spitfire will also be making an appearance, celebrating the Kingdom’s historic links with the iconic fighter. During the Second World War, the people of Bahrain raised GBP 15,000 to donate an aircraft for action, and the plane, named ‘Bahrain’, was flown by ace pilot Francis Scott-Maldon.

Spaces in the Chalet area, and in the newly introduced Airport, Security & Surveillance Pavilion, are all sold out, and 120 companies will be represented at the event. These include leading manufacturers such as Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Pratt and Whitney, Sikorsky Aircraft and Rolls-Royce. Other international companies participating include Thales Group; Lufthansa Technic from Germany; India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO); Qatar Airways; TAG Aeronautics; and Tawazun Holding, the Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment holding company focused on defence and specialised manufacturing. Eight aerospace businesses from Turkey will also be in attendance —the first time that Turkey will participate in the show.

Delegations and representatives from Egypt, France, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US will all be in attendance as well. The number of companies participating has doubled since the first edition, whilst the number of military and civil delegations has increased from 28 in 2010 to 51 this year. The number of aircraft on display is over 100 for the first time this year as well.

Speaking about the event, HE Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said, “The unique, commercially-focused environment of the Bahrain International Airshow has ensured that the third edition is set to be a success, with a significant number of returning and new participants. There is a high level of international and regional attendance, and the Airshow provides an opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s unparalleled regional connectivity as a major logistics hub with the closest links between road, sea, and aviation in the region, making Bahrain a strategically attractive place to access the $1.5 trillion Gulf market.” Inspiring the next generation of Bahraini pilots, engineers and scientists is an important part of the mandate for the Bahrain International Airshow, and 2,300 school and university students from the Kingdom will get free access to the public and trade areas of the event.

Government related organisations, including the Ministry of Transportation, the Royal Bahraini Air Force, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA), BAPCO, Batelco, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) and Gulf Air, are all proud supporters of the third edition of the Bahrain International Airshow.

There will also be a wide variety of on-the-ground attractions and activities for the whole family in the newly expanded public area, which is forty per cent larger than before with improved facilities including restrooms and prayer rooms, and increased capacity for visitors.