The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a report detailing the significant economic and employment contributions of aviation, including aviation-related tourism, to the UAE in 2023.
The study highlights that aviation’s total economic impact in the UAE amounted to USD 92 billion, representing 18.2% of the nation’s GDP. This includes the broader supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities. The sector supported 992,000 jobs, with 74,500 employed directly by airlines, 132,300 working in other aviation sectors, and 297,300 in aviation-related tourism. Additionally, 1 million tonnes of air cargo were handled in 2023.
“The UAE plays a vital role in global connectivity, and the advantages of its position as a super connector bring trade, tourism, investment, and jobs to the country. The UAE’s leadership has a clear vision for aviation, underpinned by smart regulation and investment in world-class infrastructure. With aviation supporting nearly a million jobs and contributing 18.2% to GDP, it is a major factor in the UAE’s prosperity, both culturally and economically. We are confident that this contribution will continue to grow as the UAE creates more opportunities for aviation to flourish,” stated Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General.
Building on its Global Aviation Leadership, the UAE is Well-Positioned to Advance in Three key Areas:
Sustainability: The UAE has taken the lead in the development of Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) and aims to produce 700 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) annually by 2030. IATA looks forward to further collaboration with the UAE to accelerate progress towards the aviation sector’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, including through the newly launched SAF Registry (managed by CADO).
Infrastructure: As the UAE continues to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure to accommodate future demand, particularly through the development of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and Zayed International Airport (AUH), it is crucial to collaborate with the industry to ensure the country remains a cost-competitive hub for both airlines and passengers.
Workforce: The UAE is making considerable investments in aviation training to develop a skilled workforce that can support future growth. Ensuring a sustainable pipeline of aviation professionals will further solidify the UAE’s position as a global aviation hub. As part of this initiative, a new IATA training centre was recently opened in Abu Dhabi.
