The private aviation boom is encouraging the launch of new dedicated business and general aviation shows and exhibitions with the growth areas of Russia and eastern Europe featuring strongly.

United Business Aviation Association takes place in Moscow on 11 April at the Renaissance Hotel. AeroExpo is inaugurating a Prague show on 25 to 27 April 2008. "The organisers have selected Prague because 70 per cent of all European GA takes place within a 500-mile radius of the capital," says show director Paddy Casey. He predicts that the AeroExpo at Wycombe Air Park near London will attract around 20,000 for its third annual event.

Meanwhile the inaugural Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit, launched in Abu Dhabi by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, is to be held annually. Peter Harbison, executive chairman of the centre, predicts that the Middle East will be at the forefront of the next generation aviation evolution.

Helitech 2008 is planned for 14 to 16 October 2008 at Cascais, Portugal. Organiser Reed Exhibitions says the airport "offers excellent access for both rotary and fixed wing aircraft."