The Middle Eastern aviation industry is currently at the forefront of innovation, sustainability and improving passenger experience. A long-standing symbol of ambition and progress, the region's leaders recognize the immeasurable potential of the sector and are committed to investing in the future. From Saudi Arabia's ambitious plans to strategic partnerships being formed across the region, there is a sense of unity and purpose when moving the industry forward.
Niha Shaikh
Product VP
A journey in cyrium
Pioneer of progress
At the heart of this aviation evolution is the United Arab Emirates, home to some of the world's most prestigious airlines and airports. Leading prices are Emirates, a $29 billion company with a fleet of over 250 aircraft connecting more than 140 destinations around the world. Emirates sets the standard for passenger experience through cutting-edge technology, from entertainment in flight to biometric security systems.
But Emirates isn't alone. Saudi Arabia and Oman Air have also made incredible advances in operational performance and service excellence. Saudia took second place in Cirium's global airlines' On-Time Performance (OTP) rankings in 2024, with Oman ranked second in the Middle East and Africa's top 10 airlines ranked second.
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport (RUH) has also emerged as a leader, winning both global and large airport categories with an impressive on-time departure rate of 86.65% on around 241,000 flights on the 115 routes .
These airlines and airports recognize the importance of adopting sustainable practices to adapt to changing customer needs and ensure long-term success. So minimizing cancelled flights and delays is something everyone can agree on, and it has been a challenging year for aviation as a whole.
Cirium Middle East and Africa OTP Region Update
In 2024, Top 10 Middle East and Africa Airlines operated 20% more flights compared to the top performers in 2023. This is the total of nearly 984,500 flights in 2024.
This surge in flights, along with passenger volumes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, is evidence of significant growth in the Middle East.
In addition to flight growth, airlines in the Middle East and Africa operate more efficiently, with top performers reaching 83.08% arrivals in 2024 compared to 82.44% in 2023. Arrivals of Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific Airways.
These developments underscore the Middle East's important role in the global aviation industry, driven by strategic investments, economic diversification initiatives and a robust recovery in travel demand.
In the Middle East and Africa region, there have been some changes in the rankings and performance of individual airlines in 2024, with significant improvements from airlines such as Saudian and Kuwait Airlines, and like Etihad Airways and Emirates. Other regions have declined slightly. Saudia went from sixth in 2023 to fourth this year, with OTP at 86.35%. Kuwait Airlines, which increased 11 points in its performance last year, moved from ninth to fifth place with an OTP of 84.63%. Royal Jordan arrived on time at 87.05% in 2024, staying in third place. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways' OTP declined slightly, with 82.90% OTP falling to 82.90% this year in 2023. The Emirates also dropped from 78.48% to 74.42%, moving to 9th place.
Middle Eastern international airports have shown significant improvements in performance this year. Riad King Khalid International Airport (RJH) took part in the top 20 rankings in 2024, securing the top spot in global and large airport categories. ) The 2024 ranking improved its ranking with an on-time departure rate of 80.32% from 81.03% in 2023, and entered the top 20 global airport.
Innovation Hub enables collaboration
One of the most exciting developments in the aviation industry in the region is the emergence of innovation hubs like Emirates EBDAA in Dubai. EBDAA serves as a catalyst for creativity, collaboration and sustainable energy. This cutting-edge facility brings the brightest minds from universities, technology suppliers and startups to drive the development of cutting-edge solutions. From hydrogen-powered aircraft prototypes to advanced air traffic management systems, the groundbreaking projects emerging from EBDAA are testament to the local commitment to shaping the future of aviation.
However, innovation is not limited to the development of new technologies. The Middle Eastern aviation industry is also pioneering new approaches to training and passenger experience.
Emirates, for example, also embraces augmented reality and immersive experiences, enhancing onboarding and training for crew and employees. By providing realistic simulations of the work environment, these technologies reduce training time and ensure a smoother transition for new recruits.
Similarly, Dubai International Airport, the busiest in the world, leads the charges with a plan for a completely moving and walk-through experience. Passengers enjoy seamless check-in, security clearance and boarding processes thanks to advanced biometric technology. This initiative not only reduces waiting times and increases safety, but also provides a more hygienic and convenient travel experience in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Similar advancements are being implemented across the region, revolutionizing the way passengers navigate airports and interact with airline staff.
However, rapid growth and innovation in the Middle Eastern aviation industry is not without challenges. The area faces a shortage of skilled workers, and it is estimated that the UAE alone will need around 22,000 pilots and crew by 2033. To address this issue, countries in the region are investing in training and development programs and partnering with educational institutions to nurture them. Next-generation aviation expert.
Another challenge is the need for sustainable practices in the face of climate change. Middle Eastern airlines and airports are making great strides in reducing carbon footprint, but there's still much to do. The adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft, and implementation of environmentally friendly ground operations are all important steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry. Airlines and airports in the region have invested heavily in environmentally friendly initiatives, including the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, the development of fuel-efficient aircraft, and implementation of green ground operations.
For example, Etihad Airways is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
These efforts are not limited to operational benefits, but are also essential to ensuring industry financial support in many transactions that involve “green strings attached.” Cirium also invested heavily in the region and recently secured the certification of Emerald Ski at the Rocky Mountain Institute for its first climate-friendly financial framework tailored to the aviation industry.
Despite these challenges, the mood of the Middle Eastern aviation industry is one of optimism and determination.
The region's leaders are aware of the immeasurable potential of the sector and are committed to investing in the future. From Saudi Arabia's ambitious plans to strategic partnerships being formed across the region, there is a sense of unity and purpose when moving the industry forward.
We can hope for even more groundbreaking advances from the region in the coming years. From developing hydrogen-powered aircraft to implementing seamless, moving travel experiences, the Middle Eastern aviation industry is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As these innovations fly, they not only change the way we travel, but also inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. The success stories of Middle Eastern aviation are testament to the power of vision, collaboration and innovation. The region continues to invest in its people, its infrastructure and its technology, laying the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future. The Middle East is ready to lift the global aviation industry into one innovation at a time, as its eyes are firmly fixed on the horizon.
Manchester Airport Group selects the environment to enable data-driven optimization of its operations and environmental strategies
January 2025
MAG is the first Tier-1 airport group to use Cirium's emerald ski flight emissions and analysis to promote operations and advance.
Condor chooses Cirium as its strategic partner in aviation analytics
September 2024
London, September 3, 2024: Cirium is now a new partner in Condor's aerial analytics, and has made Cirium a…
The Middle East reconstructs the future of aviation with innovation
May 2024
The region's aviation industry is a long-standing symbol of ambition and growth, and is undergoing an astonishing transformation that promises to change…
Ask: You will receive: How to discuss with your data and gain wise insights
March 2024
Learn how to harness the power of natural language processing to easily and efficiently query and summarise structured data.
