According to a survey conducted by Terrapinn who are the organisers of the second Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit to be held in Abu Dhabi from March 2 to 5.
The survey, which was conducted amongst more than 400 top executives from the aviation industry from around the world and the Middle East, revealed that 90 per cent of the respondents are still upbeat about the Middle East aviation industry.
Fifty per cent of the respondents stated that growth will continue due to government support, followed by geographic location (43.5pc) the strength of regional economies (35.5pc) and consumer’s purchasing power 37pc.
According to these experts, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are likely to continue with a large proportion of their investment plans. These include mega-aviation infrastructure projects, airport expansions and new airports. Dubai is a case in point. The emirate has just awarded a Dhs 4.9 billion ($1.3 billion) contract to build a new concourse at its international airport, the busiest hub in the Middle East. Work is to commence immediately with its completion scheduled by the end of April 2011.
The majority of respondents in the survey thought the biggest obstacle to ME aviation growth in the next 12 months was volatile fuel prices 65pc, followed by operational efficiency 25.4pc, government policy 23.8pc and recruitment of pilots 20.6pc. About 53pc of them felt that the biggest opportunity for airlines is passenger growth from Middle Eastern countries followed by the Subcontinent, Asia and then Europe, which is in line with the demographic make up of the region and in line with recent regulatory and route development efforts of regional players.
The Terrapinn survey also showed that 60pc of the respondents were of the opinion that the regional legacy carriers will face their stiffest competition from Low Cost Carriers, both regional and international. 64pc of them agreed that the Middle East needs more airport capacity.
“The Middle East Aviation Outlook Summitwill take place at Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers in Abu Dhabi.it is expected to draw participants from the world’s top airlines such as Etihad, Oman Air, Kuwait Airways Turkish Airlines, Wataniya, Royal Jet, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Sama, Qatar Airways, Jazeera Airways, Airblue, Maximus Air Cargo, Kingfisher, Air Asia X, and Mihinlanka Airlines. It also features leaders from the Middle East’s foremost airports authorities including Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC,) Oman Airports Management Company and Cairo Airport Company.
ramavarman@khaleejtimes.com
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