Ammar Balkar, former vp sales and marketing of Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet, has been named as the first president and ceo of the not-for-profit Middle East Business Aviation Association.

MEBAA was launched in 2006 to promote safety, security, efficiency and expansion throughout the region's business aviation sector.

The founding member base includes Bexair of Bahrain, Gulfstream Aerospace, Jet Aviation, Jetex, Saudi Arabia's National Air Services and Royal Jet.

It now has more than 30 members including Airbus and Boeing.

Balkar has an extensive career in aviation throughout the Middle East including managerial roles in startup executive jet service providers.