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.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA

Al-Khabra Boulevard has emerged as a prominent economic and tourism destination in Qassim Region, benefiting from its strategic location along King Fahd Road on the Qassim-Madinah Expressway.

The boulevard serves as an attractive stop for travelers while providing a platform to showcase and market the region’s agricultural, handicraft and heritage products, particularly dates.

Spanning approximately 50,000 square meters, the project includes around 160 shops and 40 kiosks, offering space for commercial activities, festivals and seasonal events.

The destination combines retail activity with tourism and entertainment, supporting farmers, cottage-industry families and entrepreneurs while helping local businesses reach a wider consumer base.

Its design draws inspiration from Najdi identity and local architecture, with dedicated areas for agricultural products, food, handicrafts and entertainment activities. These elements add a cultural and heritage dimension to the visitor experience.

Al-Khabra Boulevard demonstrates how strategically located roadside developments can contribute to the local economy by promoting regional products, supporting small businesses and strengthening tourism activity across Qassim.

Source: SPA