Prime Highlights
- Saudi Arabia is expanding its aviation sector with Riyadh Air and the upcoming King Salman International Airport.
- The UAE is strengthening its aviation growth with the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport.
Key Facts
- Riyadh Air is expected to add over $20 billionto Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy and create 200,000+ jobs.
- King Salman International Airport will be able to serve up to 120 million passengers by 2030, while Al Maktoum Airport expansion boosts the UAE’s global hub status.
Background
The Middle East has secured its position as the strongest-performing aviation market worldwide, with the International Air Transport Association confirming the region leads all others in net profit per passenger and profit margin. The announcement came during IATA’s global media day in Geneva, where Director General Willie Walsh highlighted the region’s continued momentum powered by long-haul travel and coordinated industry development.
According to IATA’s latest financial outlook, global airlines are expected to post a record net profit of $41 billion in 2026, rising from $39.5 billion in 2025. The Middle East is forecast to remain the top contributor in terms of profitability, repeating its leadership from the previous year.
In 2025, the region generated $6.6 billion in net profit, equal to $28.90 per passenger and a margin of 9.3 percent. For 2026, IATA expects a similar margin, with net profit rising to $6.8 billion, or $28.60 per passenger. The figures place the Middle East well ahead of Europe and North America, both of which operate at significantly lower margins.
Walsh credited the region’s success to strong demand for premium and long-haul travel, modern infrastructure, and close coordination between airports, regulators and service providers. He added that the Gulf’s efforts toward a unified safety regulator demonstrate how collaboration can further strengthen performance.
The report also notes that governments across the region are accelerating investment in aviation infrastructure. Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead with big aviation plans. The new King Salman International Airport is being built to handle up to 120 million passengers by 2030.
In the UAE, Al Maktoum International Airport is growing, further strengthening the Middle East’s position as a global aviation hub.
