MANAMA: The Bahrain International Airshow 2024 is poised to elevate Bahrain’s position as a leader in the global aerospace industry, foster economic growth, and forge vital industry partnerships.

Under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the seventh biennial event will take place from Nov. 13 to 15 at Sakhir Air Base, attracting key players from the world’s aviation, defense, and space sectors.

The airshow will be graced by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, along with prominent international thought leaders and industry experts.

The event will feature discussions on critical topics such as sustainability in aviation, cutting-edge technological innovations, infrastructure investment, space operations, gender equality in aerospace, and the future workforce challenges facing the industry.

With the participation of both civil and military aviation manufacturers, along with representatives from the fields of transportation, telecommunications, research, and space exploration, BIAS 2024 will serve as a major platform for global collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The airshow will also showcase Bahrain’s role as a hub for international aerospace events and its growing influence in driving regional growth and innovation.

The event will be hosted across a vast 14,000-sq. meter exhibition hall, 40 luxury chalets, and an 86,000-square-meter static aircraft display area. Major international exhibitors, including Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, Thales, DHL, Indra Spain, Otokar, Defense Technology Equipment, and UAE’s Tawazan, will present the latest in aerospace and defense technologies. These displays will provide attendees with a firsthand look at the most advanced technologies shaping the future of aviation and defense.

Bahrain’s role as a strategic player in the aerospace sector has been reinforced in recent years through significant investments and partnerships that have propelled the country’s economic growth.

According to the event’s organizing committee, Bahrain’s gross domestic product grew by 4.9 percent in 2023, the highest rate since 2013. This growth is further supported by an increase in the performance of the non-oil sectors, which expanded by 1.3 percent year on year, reaching 3.7 billion Bahraini dinars ($9.8 billion) in the second quarter of 2024. These figures reflect the ongoing success of Bahrain’s economic diversification strategy, with the non-oil sector contributing more than 85 percent to the overall GDP.

For the first time, 13 companies from Europe, the US, China, Malaysia, and Thailand specializing in airport ground services will participate in BIAS 2024. This marks an expansion of the airshow’s scope, introducing new players and expertise to the event. Additionally, international aviation institutes will offer educational opportunities for attendees, further enhancing the event’s value by inspiring the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Key features

The airshow will also feature a series of impressive aerial displays. These include performances by the Royal Bahraini Air Force’s Copra Zolo by Bell, the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Typhoon and Saudi Hawks aerobatic display teams, as well as the Global Stars, Boeing 787-9, and the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter team. These high-flying performances will showcase the technical capabilities of both military and civilian aircraft, captivating audiences and demonstrating the precision and skill of the world’s top aviators.

Since its launch in 2010, BIAS has grown significantly in both scale and prestige. Traditionally held in January, the event was moved to November in 2018 to better accommodate the needs of participants and the broader aerospace community. The 2022 edition attracted over 46,000 visitors from nearly 60 countries, with 186 companies participating and deals totaling $1.85 billion. The event also featured 100 aircraft on static display and was supported by 18 sponsors.

The final preparations for BIAS 2024 were reviewed in a meeting held two weeks ago, with Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, personal representative of King Hamad and chairman of the BIAS supreme organizing committee, confirming that everything is in place for the event.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that the ongoing success of BIAS reflects Bahrain’s growing role as a premier host for international events and highlighted the importance of continuing to organize specialized aviation affairs. These events not only help solidify the aviation sector’s role as a key economic growth driver but also create valuable opportunities for the youth in innovation and development.

As part of its commitment to engaging the next generation, BIAS 2024 will host approximately 5,000 students from public and private schools. These students will have access to the entertainment zone, where they can enjoy daily air displays and participate in educational programs and workshops. These initiatives are designed to spark interest in aviation, science, and technology, inspiring future careers in these fields.

The Supreme Organizing Committee for the event is chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and includes key figures such as Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Bahrain’s newly appointed minister of transportation and telecommunications; Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Musalam, commander of Sakhir Air Base and head of the military committee; and Yousif Mahmoud, director general of BIAS.

Emkan Education, a leading education consultancy company in Saudi Arabia, has announced the official spin-off of its Cambridge Associate department into a new company, Stellar. This strategic move will allow each organization to sharpen its focus on core competencies, giving Stellar a dedicated platform to drive growth in the assessment and professional development field. 

In 2017, Emkan Education entered into a strategic partnership with Cambridge International Education, the world’s largest provider of international education qualifications and part of the University of Cambridge. As a Cambridge Associate, Emkan Education has served as a crucial link between Cambridge and individual schools in order to deliver qualifications, administer external high-risk examinations and a variety of professional development services to drive the growth of Cambridge programs and qualifications in Saudi Arabia. 

The growth of private schooling in Saudi Arabia, along with the rise in demand for internationally recognized qualifications like those from Cambridge, has been a central focus in advancing the nation’s educational goals under Saudi Vision 2030. 

Vision 2030 has prioritized elevating the quality of education, diversifying educational offerings, and preparing students for global competitiveness — objectives that align closely with the introduction of Cambridge qualifications and the expansion of private, international-standard schooling in Saudi Arabia. With the launch of Stellar, Emkan Education aims to create a more agile, specialized entity to meet the evolving needs of schools, students, and education stakeholders. This transition allows Stellar to intensify its focus on delivering Cambridge Education’s renowned programs, alongside its own tailored assessment solutions, reinforcing its commitment to educational excellence. 

“Stellar represents a renewed commitment to empowering learners and delivering top-tier educational solutions,” said Basma Bushnak, CEO of Emkan Education. “We look forward to seeing Stellar succeed as an independent entity, building on our shared vision with Cambridge to empower learners worldwide.” 

“Emkan Education has been pivotal to the growth of Cambridge qualifications and our work in general within the education sector in Saudi Arabia,” said Waseem Al-Hanbali, regional director of international education at Cambridge, MENA. “During our seven-year relationship, Emkan has helped tens of thousands of students access a Cambridge education across the Kingdom, reaching some of the most remote parts of the country. The launch of Stellar represents a significant step in improving education outcomes for all students in Saudi Arabia. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Emkan under this new name and identity,” said Al-Hanbali.

Stellar’s operations will focus on further expanding access to Cambridge’s world-class curriculum and assessments, while continuing to cater to schools’ innovative solutions and support. 

Emkan Education is dedicated to advancing learning outcomes through tailored programs, assessments, and resources. With a focus on quality and innovation, Emkan Education partners with global organizations to bring the best in educational tools and assessments to schools and learners. As a Cambridge Associate, it has served as a crucial link between Cambridge and individual schools in order to deliver qualifications, administration of external high-risk examinations and a variety of professional development services to drive the growth of Cambridge programs and qualifications in Saudi Arabia. Emkan has administered exams for over 8000+ learners, and delivered training sessions to empower more than 5,600 Cambridge school leaders and teachers. Moreover, 620+ leaders and teachers completed Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications. which entails that Emkan has been the largest provider of PDQs across the MENA region. 

Stellar, newly formed from Emkan Education’s Cambridge Examinations division, is committed to providing world-class assessment and training solutions in partnership with Cambridge Education. Through innovative and reliable education services, Stellar empowers educational institutions through innovative and reliable assessments that foster both academic excellence, professional growth and globally competitive citizens. 

Cambridge University Press and Assessment is part of the University of Cambridge. The International Education group works with schools worldwide to build an education that shapes knowledge, understanding and skills. Together with schools, Cambridge gives learners the confidence they need to thrive and make a positive impact in a changing world. Cambridge offers a globally trusted and flexible framework for education from age three to 19 (the Cambridge Pathway), informed by research, experience, and listening to educators. 

Stellar team can be contacted at [email protected] and +966 56 815 6853.