SCHOOLCHILDREN will be able to experience the soaring excitement as the aristocrats of aviation take to the skies during the region’s most prestigious air show in November.
More 5,000 students from public and private schools will be invited to the family-friendly entertainment area during the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) at Sakhir Air base, His Majesty King Hamad’s Personal Representative and BIAS Supreme Organising Committee chairman BIAS Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa said yesterday.
This year’s air show will be bigger and better, he said as he chaired the first meeting of the committee at Sakhir Air Base, where the BIAS will take place from November 13-15, under the patronage of His Majesty.
The 2024 edition will showcase new aircraft in aerial displays, including the B52, F35, Typhoon, F16, Mirage 2000, the Saudi Hawks and the Boeing commercial airplane 787 Dreamliner. Nearly 100 aircraft, ranging from commercial and business jets to cargo and small planes, will be on static display.
Shaikh Abdulla emphasised that the seventh edition of the event, marking 14 years since its establishment in 2010, reflects the strategic vision and directives of His Majesty that support achieving significant and sustained success across various sectors.
He highlighted the continued follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who has directed all ministries, institutions, and government bodies to collaborate to ensure the success of this major event.
Shaikh Abdulla noted that the ongoing success of the BIAS demonstrates the kingdom’s progress in hosting major international exhibitions and conferences, particularly in aviation, research, technology and space sciences.
He stressed the importance of continuing efforts to develop and sustain the aviation sector, which plays a vital role in supporting the national economy and creating diverse opportunities for Bahrain’s youth in areas of innovation and development.
Sakhir Air Base Commander Major General Staff Pilot Mohammad BaHussain Al Musallam, senior officials from Farnborough International and the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the preparations and plans for the air show. Shaikh Abdulla underscored the need to harness all available resources to deliver a successful event, building on its strong regional and international reputation.
Shaikh Abdulla also emphasised the importance of engaging various sectors of society to benefit from the air show, particularly by facilitating partnerships with global companies and offering opportunities for skill development in scientific, engineering and technological fields, particularly in aviation and space sciences.
He directed that universities should be involved in showcasing their expertise in science, computing, and artificial intelligence during the event.
The students from public and private schools will be invited to the family-friendly entertainment area, where they can enjoy daily air displays and participate in educational workshops designed to inspire interest in aviation and future sciences, he said.
This year’s BIAS will feature leading global companies in civil and military aviation, including Boeing, Gulfstream, BAE Systems, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, CFM International, Lockheed Martin, Thales Group, Indra Sistemas, Embraer, Leonardo, Bell Helicopter, among others.
For the first time, 13 companies from Europe, the US, China, Malaysia and Thailand specialising in airport ground services will participate, alongside international aviation institutes offering educational opportunities for visitors.
Shaikh Abdullah expressed his appreciation to the various government entities supporting the event, including the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry, the Bahrain Defence Force, the Royal Bahraini Air Force, which will organise the Manama Air Power Leaders Forum, National Guard as well as the ministries of Foreign, Interior Finance and National Economy, Information Affairs, Tourism, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and Health.
He also extended his thanks to the sponsors and commended the role of private sector companies in supporting the air show.
Tickets for the public will be available through the official website at a special price of BD10 for access to the trade area, while the entertainment area for families and children will be open for BD5, with free entry for children under 16.
&uuid=(email))