(eTN) – The world’s leading aircraft manufacturers are gearing up to showcase their latest models, improvements, and show off “future aircraft designs,” among many other presentations of keen interest to the aviation industry, during the upcoming Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) 2012. The second edition of BIAS is due to be held at the Sakhir Air Base, right next to the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit between January 19-21, 2012.
Generally considered one of the “smaller” aviation showcases, BIAS 2012 seems to go along with the slogan “small is beautiful,” while professing to “luxurious and exclusive settings.” Expectations are high that the US$1 billion in terms of transactions during the inaugural show in 2010 will be exceeded in January, probably substantially.
Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs, together with the UK-based Farnborough International, along the Bahrain Air Force, are the key organizers and promoters of the show, while Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, is not only the official carrier but also the key sponsor of the event alongside Bahrain’s leading communications company, BATELCO.
Gulf Air, now Bahrain’s national airline but formerly THE Pan-Gulf carrier with a number of other Gulf countries holding shares, dates back to 1950 and has, since the incorporation of “other” national airlines in the Gulf, transformed itself into a relatively smaller – compared to the “big league” from the UAE and neighboring Qatar – but “hungry and ambitious” airline with the claim to operate the widest network of destinations across the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf countries, while at the same time also serving key European, Asian, and African destinations. On December 5, Gulf Air commenced flights from Bahrain to Entebbe, Uganda, four times a week and is due to start flights to Juba, Southern Sudan, from late January, with initially three frequencies planned for that destination.
This correspondent will report “live” from the Bahrain Air Show, courtesy of Gulf Air, and cover all the key events, flight displays, and media presentations via Twitter and through daily articles from BIAS 2012.
