Middle East business jet deliveries are projected to pick up in the next three years, reversing the trend in falling shipments that has occurred over the past decade, according to figures released by JetNet iQ as the Saudi Airshow launched for the first time at Al Thumamah Airport in Riyadh on Tuesday.
According to the latest JetNet iQ forecast, business jet deliveries in the region are estimated to reach 14 aircraft this year, 15 next year, and 16 in 2021. Deliveries of business jets to operators in the Middle East peaked at 41 in 2009 before bottoming at 12 in 2018, JetNet iQ data shows.
A Luxaviation official recently told AIN that this market had indeed faltered. “It’s not like the days when we had aircraft transactions happening all over and people upgrading and buying aircraft. It has been very quiet. Yes, the OEMs have been successful in delivering a few new aircraft into the region, but it’s not like it used to be.”
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdelaziz—founder and chairman of Saudi Airshow host Saudi Aviation Club and the Arab world’s first astronaut—was the show’s guest of honor on the opening day. Didier Mary, the French organizer of the show, said the inaugural Saudi Airshow signed 260 exhibiting companies and expects more than 4,000 attendees.
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