Page 717 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

10/17/24, 9:45 AM UAE aviation: 10 airports, 4,807 weekly flights, 98m passengers and a $128bn vision - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Mid…
UAE aviation industry

More than 90 years later, the UAE’s civil aviation sector leads numerous global

competitiveness indicators, surpassing many developed nations.

The country boasts six national carriers renowned for luxury, quality, security, and safety.
During the first eight months of this year, our national carriers operated 4,807 weekly

flights to numerous destinations around the world.

In addition, the UAE has 10 airports, including 8 international airports ranked among the

best and busiest in the world. These airports welcomed more than 97.9m passengers in the
first eight months of this year, reflecting a growth rate of 12.6 per cent, compared to 86.9m
passengers during the same period last year.

Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of

the GCAA, said: “UAE Civil Aviation Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the vision of

our wise leadership, which has positioned the UAE at the forefront of the world in the
aviation sector.

“This sector today serves as a fundamental pillar of national economic growth and

enhances its competitiveness regionally and internationally. Additionally, this vital sector
has played a key role in establishing the UAE as a bridge for connecting with global

markets.

The UAE is globally recognised for the rapid growth of its aviation infrastructure, which
accounted for less than 1 per cent of the GDP at the founding of the country in 1971, while

today the sector contributes up to 13.3 per cent of the GDP.

According to estimates from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the air
transport market in the UAE is expected to grow by 170 percent over the next twenty years,

resulting in an addition of 101m passenger flights by 2037.

This growth will also support the national economy by contributing approximately
$127.7bn and will create 1.4 million jobs.

Bin Touq continued: “Our national efforts are ongoing in developing the aviation industry

in the country, relying on innovation, sustainability, and the best global practices in this

regard.

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