10,000 expected at Air Show opening By TOM HANRATTY, Posted on » Thursday, January 21, 2010
MANAMA: More than 10,000 people are expected to descend on Sakhir Airbase this morning for the opening of the first Bahrain International Air Show.
That includes more than 2,000 specially invited corporate guests and a host of international delegations.
The 5,000 public tickets made available for tomorrow have already sold out, but about half of the tickets for today and Saturday are still available, according to organisers.
The event will feature three days of air displays by a range
of aircraft, as well as a raft of family entertainment in the public area, and is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Economic Development Board chairman, has urged EDB members to exert all efforts to support the air show's supreme organising committee, led by Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
This aims to make the show's first edition successful in consolidating Bahrain's renowned reputation in hosting international exhibitions and successful business meetings, EDB executive director Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa said yesterday.
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Family fun at air show
A RAFT of family entertainment has been lined up over the next three days as Bahrain makes its debut on the international air show scene.
Organisers of the three-day Bahrain International Air Show 2010 have teamed up with Adhari Park to keep visitors of all ages happy with amusements such as river rides, mini jets and go-karts, magic shows, hip-hop shows, firework displays and competitions each of the three days.
A special Heritage Park has also been created to give visitors the opportunity to explore local arts, crafts, music and customs. However, it is the spectacular flying and aerobatic displays that are expected to generate most interest.
Kicking off at 1.30pm each day, the displays include some of the world's most decorated teams and pilots, including the Royal Bahrain Air Force Display Team, the French Air Force Display Team, the Saudi Hawks Aerobatic Display Team and solo pilot Mark Jefferies.
Crowds of up to 10,000 people are expected to descend on the Sakhir Airbase this morning for the official opening of the show at 11am.
Chief among them will be His Majesty King Hamad, under whose patronage the event is taking place.
However, people can head down to the venue earlier and the doors will open on all three days from 10am to 5.30pm.
Among those at the opening will be more than 2,000 specially invited corporate guests and a host of international delegations.
Culture and Information Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa yesterday toured the media centre and heritage village at BIAS accompanied by assistant under-secretary for Civil Aviation Affairs Captain Abdulrahman Al Gaoud and hailed the preparations.
She was briefed on the preparations by Bahrain Royal Air Force media committee head Lt Colonel Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi and the organisational committee media head Yousef Mahmoud.
Organised by Farnborough International Limited (FIL) and Civil Aviation Affairs for the Kingdom of Bahrain (CAA), 40 luxury business chalets at the venue have been snapped up by some of the biggest names in aviation.
Participating companies will be afforded exclusive one-on-one opportunities to showcase products and services to potential buyers, visiting delegations, the media, trade partners and public visitors.
Among those taking part in the show are Airbus, Gulf Air, TAG Aeronautics, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, Gulf Aviation Technologies, Bahrain Air and SELEX Sistemi Integrati.
Participation at the event is costing each company $155,000 (BD58,590) - including catering, an executive car, access to the VIP pavilion and aircraft parking space, if required.
However, the show is expected to be significantly different from any other aerospace event in the Middle East.
Tickets for the public event cost BD7 for adults and BD3 for children aged under 15 and are available at Batelco stores in Seef Mall, Bahrain City Centre and Bahrain International Airport; by calling the ticket hotline on 8000 8181; or by visiting
Bahrain International Airshow - Welcome.
People visiting BIAS 2010 today are advised to park at the Bahrain International Circuit, from where they will be shuttled by bus to the adjacent air show venue.