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THE inaugural Bahrain International Airshow 2010 has proved to be a resounding success for the aviation industry as a whole and the kingdom.
The event hosted 40 exhibitors, 94 aircraft and visiting delegates from 45 countries. Early indications show that over one billion dollars worth of deals were signed at the Sakhir Airbase with the attending companies from all over the world and 30,000 visited the public and trade areas over the three days.
Amongst them Yemenia's, Yemen's national carrier, purchase of 10 A320 planes from Airbus, Bahrain's purchase of nine Blackhawk-M helicopters from US manufacturer, Sikorsky, Gulf Air's preliminary agreement to lease two Embraer 170 jets, Selex's award of $15 million contract by the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority for primary surveillance radar and two Mode-S secondary surveillance radars at the Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain's talks to purchase two airbus planes and Boeing's announcement to deliver 1,700 aircraft in the next 20 years to the Middle East.
Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said: "We are delighted by the results. The show brought manufacturers and users under the same roof enabling them to do business effectively and uniquely, reflecting Bahrain's status as a regional centre for transport and trade.
"The strong presence of the leading aerospace and defence manufacturers signalled the inaugural shows success and reflected Bahrain's status as a pioneer in the aerospace industry in the region."
