The Middle East’s aviation sector is on course for unprecedented expansion, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the charge. A new white paper by Aviation Business ME and GE Aerospace projects a 134 percent surge in aviation-related employment across the region—the fastest growth globally—alongside a 150 percent jump in GDP contribution, exceeding $730 billion by 2043.

According to the report, “Lifting Economies: The Impact of the Aviation Sector on Middle Eastern Economies,” more than 530 million passengers are expected to travel through Middle Eastern airports annually within two decades—double today’s figure. The region’s aviation traffic is forecast to grow at a steady 3.9 percent per year.

Strategic Investments and Rising Demand

The sector’s momentum is being propelled by long-term government commitments, major infrastructure investments, and forward-looking regulatory frameworks. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Middle Eastern airlines have become vital connectors for global travel. With booming populations, increasing prosperity, and bold tourism visions, demand for air travel is surging.

Currently, two of the world’s 10 busiest international airports are in the region—Dubai International Airport, which ranks first globally, and Doha’s Hamad International.

“As we look toward 2040, the countries that continue to invest strategically in their aviation ecosystems will reap outsized rewards in economic diversification, skilled job creation, and global connectivity,” said Ryan Harmon, editor of Aviation Business Middle East. He highlighted the region’s commitment to sustainability and next-generation technologies as key to ensuring growth benefits “both their economies and the planet.”

Saudi Arabia’s Meteoric Rise

Saudi Arabia stands out as the Middle East’s fastest-growing aviation market. Between 2016 and 2023, aviation-related employment in the Kingdom grew 136 percent to reach 1.4 million jobs, while the sector’s contribution to GDP more than doubled to $91 billion. Under its Saudi Aviation Strategy, supported by $100 billion in investments, the country aims to triple passenger traffic to 330 million and expand connections to over 250 destinations by 2030.

“The Middle East aviation story isn’t just about scale, but innovation,” said Aziz Koleilat, GE Aerospace’s President and CEO for the Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS. “By investing simultaneously in airlines, airports, and MRO capabilities, countries are creating integrated ecosystems that deliver far-reaching economic benefits.”

UAE and Qatar Strengthen Regional Dominance

The UAE remains a cornerstone of the regional aviation economy, where the industry contributes 18.2 percent of national GDP—more than five times the global average. The country also accounts for one-third of all direct aviation jobs in the Middle East.

Qatar, meanwhile, has positioned aviation as a key pillar of its Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), emphasizing air transport and logistics as catalysts for its ambition to become a regional e-commerce hub.

The Future of Flight: AI, Sustainability, and Space

The white paper points to several emerging trends that will shape the industry’s next era:

• AI adoption will enhance predictive maintenance, pilot fuel optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is gaining traction: the UAE targets 700 million liters of SAF annually by 2030, while Saudi Arabia is integrating SAF infrastructure into megaprojects like NEOM.
• Space programs in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are expected to create new opportunities in aerospace engineering and manufacturing.

Policy Recommendations

To sustain growth, the report calls for:

• Greater regulatory harmonization across the region,
• Improved airspace coordination and data sharing, and
• Expanded aviation training programs to build a skilled workforce.

As aviation cements its role as a cornerstone of the Middle East’s diversification and innovation agenda, the industry’s ascent signals not just economic lift—but a redefinition of the region’s place in global air travel.

The Chairman of the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport, Omar al‑Hosari, held a meeting on Tuesday with a high‑ranking Airbus delegation headed by Hadi Akoum, Vice President of Sales for Africa and the Middle East, to discuss expanding cooperation and advancing Syria’s aviation modernization plans.

In a statement published on the Authority’s official Telegram channel, it was confirmed that the talks focused on reviewing ongoing areas of collaboration and exploring new initiatives to improve the efficiency and performance of the country’s air transport sector.

The Airbus representatives presented an extensive briefing detailing strategies to boost technical coordination, enhance operational standards, and revisit existing agreements for potential upgrades. These measures aim to support long‑term goals of rehabilitating Syria’s civil aviation network and aligning it with international practices.

The session was also attended by Alessandro Caletti, Airbus Customer Support Director for Africa and the Middle East; Sameh Orabi, Assistant Chairman of the Authority; and Anwar Akkad, CEO of Syrian Aviation Holding Company.

The meeting is part of the Authority’s ongoing program to modernize the national aircraft fleet and improve airport infrastructure nationwide. Through such engagements, Syrian aviation authorities seek to promote sustainable development and strengthen strategic ties with leading global manufacturers.

Airbus, one of the world’s foremost aerospace and defense companies, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global air transport through its innovative commercial aircraft, helicopter, and space solutions.

Global demand for air travel continued its steady ascent in 2025, expanding by 5.3% compared to 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The growth, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), signaled a return to long-term industry trends following the post-pandemic surge.

Airline capacity, tracked in available seat kilometres (ASKs), grew by 5.2% last year, while passenger load factors edged up to an all-time high of 83.6%, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from 2024.

Middle East Delivers Strong Traffic Growth

Carriers in the Middle East emerged as top performers in 2025, posting a 6.7% jump in traffic over the previous year. Capacity expanded by 5.8%, driving load factors up 0.7 percentage points to 81.6%. December wrapped up strongly, with a 9.5% year-on-year rise in regional demand.

International and Domestic Market Trends

On the international front, passenger demand for 2025 rose by 7.1%, alongside a 6.8% capacity gain. The global international load factor reached a record 83.5%, up slightly from the prior year.

Domestic travel growth remained more modest, with demand up 2.4% and capacity up 2.5%, producing an average load factor of 83.7%, down marginally by 0.1 points.

December concluded on a positive note, as overall traffic grew 5.6%, capacity increased 5.9%, and load factors held steady at 83.7%.

IATA: Focus on Sustainability and Supply Chains

“The 5.3% increase in air travel last year reflects the industry’s return to pre-pandemic growth norms,” IATA stated. “As we move forward, two key issues—decarbonization and supply chain stability—will define aviation’s ability to meet future demand.”

IATA emphasized that achieving climate goals requires clear policy support from governments to expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and ensure energy sector collaboration.

Persistent supply chain disruptions were another hurdle for airlines in 2025, creating what IATA called "the industry's biggest frustration of the year.” Aircraft and engine delivery delays, maintenance backlogs, and related cost pressures—estimated at over $11 billion—forced airlines to extend fleet usage and increase seat occupancy.

“With aircraft nearly 84% full, these temporary fixes were effective but not sustainable,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “The industry needs lasting solutions. Ideally, 2025 marks the low point of the supply chain crisis, paving the way for recovery in 2026. Every new plane in service represents cleaner operations and greater capacity for passengers.”

Regional Highlights

Asia-Pacific airlines led global growth, reporting a 10.9% increase in international RPKs and a 10.2% rise in capacity. Their load factor climbed to 84.4%, the highest of any region.

Europe saw international demand increase 6.0%, with capacity up 5.9% and load factors holding at 84.1%.

North American carriers reported more modest figures, with traffic up 2.1% and capacity up 2.4%—the slowest growth among all regions. Load factors dipped slightly to 83.9%.

Latin American airlines recorded an 8.6% rise in annual traffic, but capacity growth outpaced demand at 10.2%, pulling load factors down 1.2 points to 83.6%.

African carriers achieved a 7.8% annual traffic increase with capacity up 6.5%, pushing load factors to a record 74.9%, the largest improvement among all regions despite being the lowest overall.

Domestic Market Performance

Domestic air travel also reached record highs in 2025, though growth moderated after the previous year’s rebound. Brazil topped the charts with an 11.1% rise in passenger traffic, while the United States experienced a 0.6% decline.

Japan posted the strongest improvement in load factor (+3.4 percentage points), in contrast to the U.S., where the load factor dropped by 1.9 points. India maintained the world’s highest domestic load factor at 85.2%, even with a small decrease. Australia recorded the lowest at a still-solid 81.2%.

Oman is intensifying efforts to mobilise private investment in its aviation industry as part of a long-range plan designed to strengthen air links and modernise national infrastructure.

Under the National Aviation Strategy 2040, the sultanate aims to secure more than OR1 billion ($2.6 billion) in private capital over the next 15 years. Analysts, however, warn that transforming strategic objectives into commercially viable opportunities will be complex and execution-heavy.

According to figures published by the Oman News Agency, the strategy envisions passenger traffic exceeding 40 million annually by 2040, air cargo volumes reaching around 1 million tonnes, and aviation contributing more than 3.5 percent to gross domestic product.

Linus Bauer, founder of Bauer Aviation Advisory, said aviation has the potential to drive tourism growth, logistics development and wider foreign investment, but cautioned that funding will depend on project fundamentals. “Investors respond to clearly defined, bankable propositions with transparent risk and return dynamics, not broad policy aspirations,” he said.

Oman faces strong competition from neighbouring markets. Several GCC states, as well as Turkey, already operate well-established aviation hubs. Airports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar benefit from extensive connectivity, dominant home carriers and long-term state support.

“Oman does not enjoy the same built-in market pull,” Bauer noted.

Dubai International Airport illustrates the scale gap. It handled more than 70 million passengers during the first nine months of 2025, with annual traffic expected to exceed 95 million. In comparison, Oman’s airport network — encompassing Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm — processed a combined 15.2 million passengers last year, according to Saleh Abdullah Al Harthy, director general of air navigation at the Civil Aviation Authority.

Scepticism about investor appetite was echoed by John Grant, partner at Midas Aviation and an AGBI columnist. He said attempts to replicate neighbouring aviation models could undermine confidence. “Simply trying to mirror what others are doing is not necessarily a sound strategy,” he said.

Naif Ali Al Abri, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, said the aviation roadmap is divided into three stages and includes 39 separate initiatives. The first phase, centred on groundwork and readiness, will take place between 2026 and 2027, followed by an expansion phase from 2027 to 2030. The final phase, referred to as the “soaring phase”, will run through to 2040.

Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said Oman’s strongest selling point for investors is its long-standing trade and diplomatic relationships with major economies including the US, the UK and European markets. “Those countries have a track record of investing internationally,” he said, adding that Omani aviation presents a stronger case than comparable markets such as Kuwait or Bahrain.

The country’s airline sector currently includes national carrier Oman Air and budget operator SalamAir. Although the Civil Aviation Authority announced plans in May 2024 to introduce another low-cost airline, officials confirmed earlier this month that the proposal failed to attract sufficient investor interest, according to the Oman Daily Observer.

Nevertheless, consultants point to underlying market resilience. John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting, said demand is supported by regional travel flows, labour movement between Oman and South Asia, and expanding tourism activity.

“With a disciplined network and fleet strategy, improvements to its product offering and experienced leadership, Oman Air has the potential to build a defensible and profitable market position,” he said.

Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) have held high-level discussions on enhancing cooperation and technical partnerships in the civil aviation sector. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025, one of the world’s leading aviation showcases.

Sheikh Humoud Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, President of PACA, met with Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the DCAA and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group. During the talks, both sides emphasised the importance of expanding collaboration, sharing expertise, and advancing regional aviation capabilities.

Sheikh Humoud Al-Sabah praised the UAE’s successful organisation of the Dubai Airshow—held from November 17 to 21—and noted the record number of agreements and partnerships announced during the event. He highlighted Kuwait’s strong interest in deepening regional cooperation, particularly with the UAE, as PACA moves forward with its strategic objectives and prepares for the upcoming operation of Kuwait International Airport’s new terminal.

Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum welcomed the Kuwaiti delegation and reaffirmed the strength of bilateral ties between the two countries, especially in the field of aviation. He noted that the meeting reflects a shared commitment to enhancing safety, innovation, and operational efficiency across the region.

This year’s edition of the Dubai Airshow, themed “The Future Is Here,” brought together more than 1,500 exhibitors and 490 military and civilian delegations from 115 countries, underscoring its growing influence as a global aviation platform.

As Middle Eastern airlines embark on a decade marked by aggressive fleet expansion, they face a looming pilot shortage, with a projected need for more than 10,300 pilots by 2030. Unlike North America and Europe, where pilot availability is beginning to stabilize, the Middle East remains on a steep hiring trajectory as carriers expand their long-haul networks and introduce new brands.

A recent report by Oliver Wyman highlights that the Middle East will be the only region where pilot demand will significantly outstrip supply throughout the decade. The shortfall is driven by record aircraft orders, robust long-haul demand, and the emergence of new Gulf hubs, all vying for qualified flight crew.

Historically, Gulf carriers have relied on international talent, a trend likely to continue as airlines offer attractive tax-free packages and opportunities to fly wide-body aircraft, appealing to pilots from regions with a surplus of talent.

However, this talent gap coincides with evolving expectations among younger pilots, who now prioritize quality of life and schedule control over rapid career advancement. This shift is prompting airlines to re-evaluate incentive structures and traditional career paths.

With flight crew costs rising faster than airline revenues due to increased pay and more flexible work rules, airlines are adopting advanced crew-planning tools, expanding training capacity, and investing in simulation, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) training platforms to develop local pilot pipelines.

The Middle East faces a unique challenge: airlines are growing faster than the available pilot workforce, said André Martins, Head of Transportation and Advanced Industrials for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Oliver Wyman. "With more than 10,000 pilots needed by 2030, carriers will have to think differently about sourcing, training, and retaining talent.

Solutions such as localized training pipelines, advanced simulation, and innovative career pathways will be critical to sustaining growth." The report emphasizes the increasing use of part-time flying, flexible route-basing, and enhanced mentoring programs to attract and retain pilots. Airlines are tailoring training to diverse learning preferences, incorporating immersive VR modules and data-driven curriculum design.

While the global pilot shortage may ease in the latter half of the decade, the Middle East is likely to remain a hub for pilots seeking opportunities to fly long-range aircraft with tax-efficient compensation. For regional airlines, the immediate focus is clear: scale up training pipelines, modernize workforce systems, and intensify competition for talent to support one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.

Implications for the UAE:

Surge in Pilot Training Demand: Local academies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are expected to see increased enrollments and waiting lists as carriers aim to develop domestic pilot pipelines and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment.

Expansion of Scholarships and Cadet Pathways: Anticipate more cadet programs linked to major carriers and aviation schools, offering structured funding support and post-training career opportunities for UAE nationals and long-term residents.

Enhanced Compensation and Lifestyle Incentives: With intensifying competition, carriers may introduce more predictable rosters, flexible contracts, and base stability options to retain talent, in addition to already strong pilot pay in the region.

Acceleration of Simulation and Tech-Driven Training: The integration of VR, AR, AI-based assessment, and data-driven learning models will become mainstream in local academies, shortening training cycles and expanding the pool of future pilots.

Increased Hiring for New Airports and Fleets: The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and new fleet orders from UAE carriers indicate sustained hiring cycles beyond 2030, with talent needs extending beyond pilots to include flight instructors, engineers, and safety roles.