SUPPLEMENT


• •


Fleet Size: Limited number of dedicated freighters, significant belly-hold capacity Specialty: Regional and international cargo, specialised handling services.


Population numbers The estimated populations for Middle Eastern countries as of 2023: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.


Bahrain: 1,783,000 Egypt: 109,300,000 Iran: 87,420,000 Iraq: 43,270,000 Israel: 9,700,000 Jordan: 11,200,000 Kuwait: 4,391,000 Lebanon: 5,482,000 Oman: 4,603,000


10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.


Palestine: 5,270,000 Qatar: 2,938,000


Saudi Arabia: 35,870,000 Syria: 21,920,000 Turkey: 85,710,000


United Arab Emirates (UAE): 9,972,000 Yemen: 33,970,000


Estimated regional population in 2023: 472,799,000


Regional history The dawn of aviation in the Middle East began in 1909, six years after the Wright brothers’ famous flight on the coast of North Carolina. In a cold and blustery December of that year, Belgian Baron Pierre de Ca- ters and the world-renowned Frenchman Louis Blériot piloted the first heavier-than-air flying machines over Istanbul — then commonly known in Europe as Constantinople — the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which encompassed much of the Middle East at the time. Early developments •


1932: EgyptAir is founded, one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, and begins operations


with cargo services as part of its offerings. Post-World War II expansion •


services. •


1945: Middle East Airlines (MEA) is established in Lebanon, contributing to regional airfreight 1947: The founding of Gulf Air, originally a private company owned by a Bahraini entrepreneur,


significantly impacts air transport in the Gulf region. Modernisation and growth •


world’s leading air cargo carriers. •


1985: The establishment of Emirates in Dubai, which rapidly grows to become one of the 1993: Qatar Airways is founded, with Qatar Airways Cargo becoming a major player in global


airfreight. Technological advancements and network expansion •


capacity and efficiency for airfreight services. •


airfreight carrier in the region. 21st Century developments •


cargo capabilities. •


2003: The introduction of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 by Emirates SkyCargo enhances 2004: Etihad Airways is founded, with Etihad Cargo quickly developing into a significant 2010: Qatar Airways Cargo introduces its first dedicated freighter aircraft, enhancing its 2014: Saudia Cargo expands its fleet with the addition of Boeing 747-8F and Boeing 777F


freighters, boosting its cargo capacity. Recent innovations and challenges •


2020: The COVID-19 pandemic prompts Middle Eastern carriers to adapt by increasing cargo


operations due to the drop in passenger flights. Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo and Etihad Cargo play crucial roles in transporting medical supplies and vaccines globally. •


2021: The Abraham Accords open up new opportunities for airfreight between Israel and


several Arab countries, including the UAE and Bahrain, fostering greater regional trade connectivity. These dates reflect key milestones that have helped shape the airfreight industry in the Middle East, highlighting the region’s strategic importance in global logistics and trade.


Top cargo airports Some of the top cargo airports in the Middle East along with their approximate annual cargo tonnages: 1. • •


Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 2.5 million tonnes


2. • •


3. • •


4. • •


5.


Key Features: Major hub for Emirates SkyCargo, extensive global network. Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 2.1 million tonnes


Key Features: Hub for Qatar Airways Cargo, state-of-the-art facilities. Bahrain Airport


Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 350,000 tonnes Key Features: Express Cargo Village.


King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Saudi Arabia Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 600,000 tonnes


Key Features: Major cargo gateway for Saudia Cargo, strategic location. King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Saudi Arabia


• •


6. • •


7. • •


8. • •


9. o o


10. o o


Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 450,000 tonnes


Key Features: Key cargo hub in the Saudi capital, supports domestic and international freight. Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), UAE Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 400,000 tonnes


Key Features: Significant cargo operations, strategic location for regional freight. Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey


Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 1.4 million tonnes


Key Features: Major hub for Turkish Cargo, extensive global reach. Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Kuwait Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 250,000 tonnes


Key Features: Growing cargo operations, strategic position in the Gulf region. Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), Lebanon Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 150,000 tonnes


Key Features: Key cargo gateway for Lebanon, supports regional trade. Muscat International Airport (MCT), Oman Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 200,000 tonnes


Key Features: Hub for Oman Air Cargo, modern cargo facilities. These tonnages are estimates based on the latest available data and may vary slightly year to year.


Future proof Several planned and upcoming airports in the Middle East aim to bolster the region’s position as a global aviation hub. Here are some notable projects: Saudi Arabia 1. o


King Salman International Airport (Riyadh) Key Features: Planned to be one of the world’s largest airports, serving as a new hub for


Riyadh. o o


2. o o


Capacity: Expected to handle up to 185 million passengers annually by 2050. Completion: Initial phases by 2030. Neom Bay Airport Location: Neom


Key Features: Part of the Neom mega-city project, focusing on futuristic technologies and


sustainability. o o


3. o o o


Capacity: Designed to handle significant cargo volumes.


Completion: First phase operational, full completion expected in the 2030s. Red Sea International Airport Location: Red Sea Project


Key Features: Serves the luxury tourism project along the Red Sea coast. Completion: Expected to be fully operational by 2030.


United Arab Emirates 4. o o o o


Qatar 5. o o o


Oman 6. o o o


Kuwait 7. o o o


Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central - DWC) Location: Dubai


Key Features: Planned to be the largest airport in the world when fully completed. Capacity: Ultimately handling over 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.


Completion: Ongoing phased expansion, with major milestones expected around 2030.


Hamad International Airport Expansion Location: Doha


Key Features: Major expansion to increase capacity and enhance facilities. Completion: Expected by 2025.


Muscat International Airport Expansion Location: Muscat


Key Features: Continued expansion to increase capacity and modernise facilities. Completion: Various phases, with significant improvements by 2030.


Kuwait International Airport (New Terminal 2) Location: Kuwait City


Key Features: New terminal to enhance capacity. Completion: Expected by 2025.


Bahrain 8. o o o


Iraq 9. o o o o


Turkey 10. o o o


Bahrain International Airport Expansion Location: Manama


Key Features: Expanding and enhancing cargo facilities. Completion: Ongoing, with major projects expected by 2025.


Baghdad International Airport Expansion Location: Baghdad


Key Features: Modernisation and expansion to improve infrastructure. Capacity: Increasing cargo capacity significantly.


Completion: Various phases, with key improvements by 2030.


Istanbul New Airport (Expansion Phases) Location: Istanbul


Key Features: Continued expansion to become one of the largest airports globally. Completion: Phased development, with major milestones by 2030.


These projects reflect the Middle East’s strategic efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure, sup- porting cargo traffic and reinforcing its status as a global aviation hub.


11


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14