BIAS2016 creates more B2B opportunities

Preparations for an event that will be bigger and better than previous editions have been revealed by the organisers of the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 (BIAS), being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on January 21-23 , and under the supervision of His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS.

"In response to visitor and participant feedback from the previous shows we have created more networking opportunities than in any previous show, with an increased number of top-level executives from the international airline industry participating as speakers and trade delegations at the activities," announced Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS. 

"This includes two conferences during the show: the ‘Air Transport in the 21st Century Conference’ which will be held on the second day of the show and will cover some the major issues affecting the Middle East aerospace industry, and an IATA seminar held on the third day of the show."

A Hosted-Buyer programme will also be introduced, which will provide participating companies scheduled itineraries in which they can meet prospective clients. 

"The Hosted-Buyer programme is an opportunity for buyers and suppliers to make direct face-to-face contact through a series of prearranged meetings organised by a dedicated team at the show. Such events have proved extremely popular and profitable for those involved at others international shows and we hope to provide that same success at BIAS16," he said.

Meanwhile, taking place the day before BIAS16 opens, the Manama Air Power Symposium (MAPS) will see air force chiefs and senior government officials discuss the most pressing priorities for regional Air Forces including Close Air Support for Asymmetric Warfare Environments, New Generation Standoff Targeting Weapons, Enhancing Air-Sea Combined Operations, Search and Rescue Operations in Hostile Environments, and the role of Unmanned Air Vehicles in enhancing situational awareness. 

Confirmed speakers at the "Air Transport in the 21st Century" conference include Qatar Airways’ Akbar Al Baker, Kuwait Airways’, Philip Saunders, Tamur Goudarzi-Pour from Lufthansa Middle East, Paul Byrne from Flynas, Richard Philips from Serco, John Swift from NATS, Alan Corner from Helio, Salvatore Scervo from Selex ES, Ahmed Al Nemah from Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications’’ Civil Aviation Affairs, and Mohamed Yousef Al Binfalah from Bahrain Airport Company.

He added, "The conference themes reflect some of the key issues affecting the Middle East aviation industry and we have drawn together an excellent panel of speakers."

On the third day of the show, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will be holding a special seminar regarding its new Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) programme. Based on its internationally recognised IOSA programme, it will allow operators of smaller aircraft to participate in and benefit from this safety assessment standard.

Back for the second time, but double the size of its previous space, the Feature Pavilion will also allow smaller business to attend the show with national pavilions from India, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan Sudan, and the UK. 

Now in its fourth edition, BIAS is a focused global aviation event providing its elite list of aerospace business participants the opportunity for high-level networking in exclusive surroundings. It is the largest aviation industry event held in Bahrain, and is organized by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in cooperation with the Royal Bahraini Air Force and Farnborough International Ltd. 

Photo:file