Aviation industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council - statistics & facts
Did you know that in 2023, Dubai International Airport was the second-busiest airport globally, handling almost 87 million passengers? This staggering figure highlights the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region's significant role in the international aviation sector. GCC-based airlines benefit from lower fuel prices compared to other operating regions due to the abundance of oil reserves in the region.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways has rapidly expanded its fleet, securing its position among the top three full-service carriers in the GCC. Beyond aviation, Etihad sponsors a range of global sporting and cultural events, including the Etihad Stadium, Ferrari Formula 1 Team, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and Manchester City Football Club, expanding its international brand presence.
Air Arabia, the region's first low-cost carrier, has been operating out of Sharjah International Airport since 2003. Air Arabia doubled its fleet size between 2013 and 2023, reflecting its growing popularity and the increasing demand for budget travel options in the Middle East.
The GCC aviation sector continues to grow, driven by state-of-the-art infrastructure, strategic government investments, and the rise of low-cost carriers. As the region rebuilds from the impacts of the pandemic, its airlines are poised to resume their trajectory of growth.
GCC aviation market structure
The GCC aviation industry has consistently outperformed other regional markets over the past decade, thanks to its robust infrastructure and unique demographic makeup. The GCC countries collectively operate 13 airlines, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia leading the pack. In 2023, Saudi Arabia alone received more than 110 million passengers, highlighting the region's growing influence in global aviation. Despite having only two publicly listed airlines – Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways – the industry remains predominantly government-controlled, with major carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways wholly owned by their respective states. This strategic oversight has facilitated the sector's growth, supported by the rise of low-cost carriers such as Jazeera Airways, SalamAir, Flynas, Air Arabia, and flydubai, which continue to drive passenger growth across the region.Leading GCC airlines
Emirates is the largest full-service carrier in the region in terms of fleet, destinations served, and annual revenue. Although the airline's revenue in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, the number of passengers carried, which stood at around 44 million, showed signs of recovery but was still catching up to pre-pandemic levels. On the other hand, the amount of cargo carried by the airline has been fluctuating, dropping by almost 800 thousand metric tons between 2018 and 2023.Based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways has rapidly expanded its fleet, securing its position among the top three full-service carriers in the GCC. Beyond aviation, Etihad sponsors a range of global sporting and cultural events, including the Etihad Stadium, Ferrari Formula 1 Team, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and Manchester City Football Club, expanding its international brand presence.
Air Arabia, the region's first low-cost carrier, has been operating out of Sharjah International Airport since 2003. Air Arabia doubled its fleet size between 2013 and 2023, reflecting its growing popularity and the increasing demand for budget travel options in the Middle East.
The GCC aviation sector continues to grow, driven by state-of-the-art infrastructure, strategic government investments, and the rise of low-cost carriers. As the region rebuilds from the impacts of the pandemic, its airlines are poised to resume their trajectory of growth.
