BIAS 2012 DAY ONE IS DAWNING
The Bahrain International Airshows second edition goes underway today and has according to local media reports been sold out for the 50.000+ spectator capacity set aside every day.
Running over three days the worlds leading aircraft manufacturers and suppliers or aviation equipment are showcasing their latest and newest, with amongst others Airbus showing off the A380 and Bombardier having put together a display of their new C-series.
All 40 corporate chalets were sold out months ago it was learned giving rise to expectations that the third edition of this annual calendar opening air show will be yet larger come 2014.
Information provided by the media centre to registered journalists, over 300 from around the world are in Bahrain for the event, also confirms that 69 aircraft will be on display in the trade only area while the public will have access to still 15 more of them, close up and personal.
The show has gained added significance this year, considering the tension Iran has been fueling in recent weeks and months, in as far as the static and aerial displays of military aircraft and related hardware is concerned, with trade missions expected from several countries in the region and beyond. 18 countries are confirmed to participate in the event, again a significantly larger number than in 2010. This is also belying detractors who had predicted a flop for BIAS 2012 in view of the political events of last year and attempts by what appears to be a small minority of foreign sponsored trouble makers with last ditch but feeble efforts to protest as the global media focus on the Kingdom ahead of and during BIAS 2012.
Air acrobatics, THE thrill for the crowds on the ground, will be performed by the Royal Jordanian Air Force, the French Air Force, the Russian Air Force and the UKs Red Devils, while those with more hands on experience in aviation will have the opportunity to get into a flight simulator, including one put up for the Hornet F18.
Over the next two days stand by for a full update every evening, pictures and sound bites and all. And this may also be the right moment to thank Gulf Air for their kind invitation to cover the event and learn more about the vision of GFs new Chief Executive Officer, whom I will meet later today for a chat. As the saying goes, watch this space!
