Airports in the Middle East are set to invest $151 billion in expansion projects by 2040, as annual passenger numbers are expected to triple to 1.1 billion. This surge reflects the region’s central role in the global aviation industry, with worldwide passenger traffic forecasted to reach 20 billion by 2042.
Massive Projects Underway
Major developments include Dubai’s $35 billion Al Maktoum International Airport, which aims to accommodate 260 million passengers, and Saudi Arabia’s $50 billion King Salman International Airport, with a planned capacity of 300 million passengers annually by 2030. These two projects alone represent nearly 80% of airport development spending across the MENA region.
Additional upgrades include:
- Sharjah International Airport’s terminal expansion, due by 2026.
- Kuwait’s triangular terminal, set to open in 2025, increasing capacity to 50 million passengers.
- New Abha Airport in Saudi Arabia, expanding capacity tenfold to 13 million passengers.
- Oman’s Musandam Airport, expected by late 2026.
Airline Fleet Growth
The region’s top 10 airlines have ordered 795 new aircraft for delivery by 2029. In 2024, Middle East airlines achieved record profitability, earning $23.1 per passenger, tripling the global average.
A Vision for Innovation
With strong government backing, the Middle East is driving innovation in aviation. Future advancements include hydrogen-powered aircraft and seamless, touchless travel technologies, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm.