The second annual Avex airshow to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, is attracting leading business aviation exhibitors. At press time the confirmed roster for the March 7 to 10 event included Cessna, Dassault, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Aero Vodochody.

According to organizers, other OEMs that participated in the last Avex event (held in February last year) have given a verbal commitment that they will be back, and these include Airbus, Boeing, Raytheon, Embraer and Avions de Transport Regional. Last year’s show also featured business aircraft operators and service companies such as ExecuJet Aviation and National Air Services (NetJets’ operating partner in the Middle East).

Avex is staged at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, which now serves a fast-growing Red Sea resort. Organizers are hoping to achieve 30-percent growth in terms of exhibitor and visitor numbers. The show will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. all four days; before noon only industry professionals will be admitted to the site.

The last couple of years have seen growing numbers of Middle Eastern exhibitors and visitors at the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva. November’s Dubai Air Show saw increased business aviation participation and the first Middle East Business Aviation conference. Now Avex is bidding to establish itself as a bizav event for the region. More information can be found at www.avex-2006.com.