In the desert sun of Sakhir, the Bahrain International Airshow once again welcomed international delegates, exhibitors and visitors to celebrate a decade of distinction.
Commemorating 10 hugely successful years, the show offered a platform for business and connections for the global leaders of the aviation and aerospace industry at the gateway to the Gulf.
Deals were done, airline partnerships signed and innovation showcased as the global aerospace industry descended on Bahrain.
The three-day event, opened by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, saw 186 participating companies across the display, exhibition hall and chalets, and 200 civilian and military delegations taking part.
Pratt & Whitney deal
Pratt & Whitney announced that Royal Jordanian Airlines has selected up to 30 of the latest-generation, single-aisle aircraft powered by GTF engines, replacing its entire narrow body and regional jet fleet over the coming 3-5 year
Meanwhile, Gulf Air and Emirates signed a unilateral codeshare partnership, starting this December.
The new agreement will offer easy connections and expanded choices for Gulf Air customers connecting to Dubai and onwards
Also at the show, Corrin Higgs, an Airbus sustainability expert, presented Bahraini university students with the latest innovations and sustainability trends in the aviation industry as part of the airshow’s aim to be a skill and education hub
Tunisian trainers
Textron Aviation Defense announced the delivery of the first Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training System to the Tunisian Air Force, as it seeks to modernise its fleet
Elsewhere, Texel Air, a Bahraini cargo airline, showcased their B737-700FlexCombi which can be configured to carry freight and passengers simultaneously. They also unveiled their new horse stalls service and announced a new alliance with the Sierra Nevada Corporation.
In the afternoons, the skies above Sakhir Air Base were filled with air display teams and aircraft, with showcases of the Gulf Air 787, RBAF, JF-17, Fursan Al Emarat, UAE Mirage 2000, RSAF Typhoon, USAF F-16 demo team, Global Stars, Red Arrows, DHL B767-300 Flypast, UAE F16, Saudi Hawks and P-8 flypast.
Farnborough-Bahrain links
Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, highlighted the links between Bahrain and the UK airshow held every two years in Hampshire.
“From our perspective, we get to use the two airshows to work together … each one benefits and that’s a good thing for both sides,” he said.
Yousif Mohammed Mahmoud, director of the Bahrain International Airshow, told local media: “We hope to have more companies and aircraft participating in the seventh edition of the Bahrain International Airshow 2024.”
The Bahrain International Airshow returns in 2024.
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