As passenger numbers in the Middle East are projected to increase by 300 per cent to 1.1 million annually by 2040, experts have said the region will need investments totalling $151 billion to expand airport capacities. Airports across the Middle East are already gearing up for this massive growth.
This growth reflects the global aviation market’s steady expansion, with worldwide passenger traffic projected to hit 20 billion by 2042, fueled by strong international travel demand, according to a statement from the organisers of the Airport Show, scheduled for May 6 to 8.
May Ismail, Event Manager at RX, a company that organises about 400 events across 42 industry sectors in 22 countries, including the Airport Show, said, “For the Middle East airports, the focus is not on surviving but thriving and bringing about tectonic changes to the landscape.”
Analytics company Global Data, which tracks airport construction projects, has said 48 airport renovation, expansion, and new projects worth $182.6 billion were already underway in the Arabian Gulf region.
Dubai is constructing the world’s largest airport terminal at a cost of $35 billion, featuring 400 gates and five parallel runways. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport, a $50-billion mega project, aims to handle 300 million passengers annually by 2030, making it the world’s largest airport by capacity. Together, these projects account for nearly 80 per cent of airport development spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Sharjah International Airport’s terminal expansion is slated for completion by 2026. Kuwait’s new triangular terminal, set to open by 2025, will increase capacity to 50 million passengers annually. In Saudi Arabia, the New Abha Airport will boost capacity tenfold to 13 million passengers, and Oman’s Musandam Airport is on track for completion by late 2026.
The region’s airlines are also scaling up operations. The 10 largest carriers have ordered 795 new aircraft, with deliveries scheduled by 2029. According to the ACI World Airport Traffic Forecasts, Middle East airlines earned a record $23.1 in profit per passenger in 2024, three times the global average.
With strong government support, investment in infrastructure, and innovative technologies, the Middle East is poised to lead global aviation into a transformative era.
In its latest report, aviation analytics firm Cirium said, “In the coming years, expect to see even more groundbreaking advancements emerging from the region. From developing hydrogen-powered aircraft to implementing seamless, touchless travel experiences, the Middle East’s aviation industry is pushing the boundaries.”
