The fourth edition of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) to be held from 21-23 January 2016 at Sakhir Airbase will celebrate a pivotal point in Bahrain-British relations, commemorating the 200 year anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries, when the two nations signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1816.
A special wing will see part of the Feature Pavilion at the show dedicated to the long-standing aviation relationship between the two nations.
BAE Systems, which has participated in BIAS since the show's inception, has created a special Heritage display in conjunction with the RAF (Royal Air force) Museum, which will include a selection of heritage models and graphics celebrating the UK’s military and civil aviation involvement in Bahrain from the 1920s to present day.
A World War II Supermarine Spitfire, which will be assembled by Bahraini students, will be displayed outside the exhibition hall. The Spitfire, on loan from the RAF Museum, will be in Bahrain specifically to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Bahrain-British relations.
As the 40th year anniversary of the first Concorde flight to Bahrain will coincide with the dates of the show, a scale model of Concorde with graphics will also be on display as part of BAE Systems' Heritage display.
Moreover, BAE Systems’ stand at the Feature Pavilion will focus on the air sector, demonstrated through scale models and interactive presentations. A full scale replica of Eurofighter Typhoon will be exhibited alongside the Spitfire outside the exhibition hall, whilst models of Typhoon, Hawk and BAE 146 will be displayed on the stand. The Striker II Helmet and the Eurofighter Typhoon Cockpit Simulator will give visitors the opportunity to experience the aircraft themselves, before seeing an RAF Typhoon flying as part of the daily display programme at the show.
British participation is also at its strongest with UK SMEs able to participate at the show through a UK Partnership pavilion organised in conjunction with ADS, the trade organisation supporting British aerospace, defence, space and security industries, and UKTI (UK Trade and Investment), the government organisation that works with British business to support them in international markets. In addition to BAE Systems, other British companies participating at the event include Rolls-Royce, Rusada, Indigo Vision, Eskan Electronics and Instro Precision.
Speaking about the 200th anniversary celebrations, His Excellency Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed (photo), Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications for the Kingdom of Bahrain and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee for BIAS said: “BIAS 2016 is an ideal platform for us to celebrate the long standing aviation ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Great Britain. Bahrain's strategic location as a gateway to the Middle East and open business approach has made the Kingdom a favoured location for British investment in general and in the aviation industry in particular, and we hope to see that continue in the future.”
HE Mr. Simon Martin CMG, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain said: “We are delighted to see strong British participation at BIAS once again this year. Global British companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce will be represented together with other leading companies within Britain's aviation sector supported by the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). BIAS is also a fantastic opportunity to commemorate the UK and Bahrain's joint accomplishments in aviation over the years where we will be showcasing our aviation heritage and history, including Concorde's inaugural commercial flight from London to Bahrain.”
