MEBAA chairman Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi has told NBAA-BACE attendees that the Middle East remains open for business despite continuing U.S. and European regulatory warnings over conflict-related airspace risks. Speaking in the “Ask the International Experts” session, he backed the December MEBAA Show in Dubai as a continuing commercial platform and forecast its biggest edition yet, while operators assess rerouting and overflight restrictions.
Alnaqbi acknowledged that regional events affect business aviation but argued that media coverage has overstated the danger. He encouraged operators to contact the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association for current information on local conditions.
The FAA prohibits U.S. operators from flying in Iranian airspace, while wider regional conditions may require route changes and additional operational planning. Alnaqbi said air-traffic controllers had become adept at rerouting aircraft at short notice after two decades of managing disruptions. MEBAA works with roughly two dozen governments to support continuity of operations, he added.
The MEBAA Show is scheduled for 8-10 December at Dubai World Central. Alnaqbi expects 10,000 to 15,000 attendees and described the event as a major networking venue for the business-aviation sector. The planned advanced air mobility pavilion is expected to feature eVTOL aircraft and other emerging technologies.