The rapid growth, and emerging importance, of the Middle East in the global commercial aviation industry is well-documented. Airbus, in its most recent global market forecast, predicts that the region’s commercial passenger traffic, as measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), will represent 13 percent of global RPKs by 2033, up from 8 percent in 2013.1 Aircraft orders from air carriers domiciled in the Middle East — particularly Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and the region’s numerous low-cost operators — represent significant portions of the backlogs at Boeing and Airbus, and both manufacturers expect more than 2,000 commercial airliners to be delivered into the region by 2033.2,3
In addition, the Middle East is growing in importance as a connecting hub for traffic flows between regions, much to the consternation of competitors from other regions, particularly Europe.4 That growth, however, is among the safety challenges faced…
