MEDFA conference highlights potential for Middle East development

Andrew Pentol

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Increases in regional passenger traffic for the first half of the year were three times the world average

Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) president Anthony Chalhoub revealed that passenger traffic increased by 17.8% in the Middle East during the first half of 2007 when he addressed delegates at this year’s two-day MEDFA conference in Dubai, underlining the the region’s huge growth potential. The increase represents three times the world average with highlights in Qatar (up 50%), Sharjah (up 36%), Abu Dhabi (up 33%) and Dubai (up 26%). About 400m passengers are predicted to visit the region by 2012 with tourist arrivals expected to reach 68.5m by 2020.

Chalhoub also highlighted the investment in the region’s airports and airlines using Jebel Ali International airport, which has a passenger capacity of 120m, and the new airports in Abu Dhabi that have boosted passenger capacity from 6m to 20m, and Bahrain, which increased capacity from 7m to 15m. In terms of airline investment, 1,160 new aircraft will be required by 2026 to sustain passenger traffic growth. Ethihad Airways will increase its fleet to 37 (52 by 2011) and fly to 45 destinations worldwide by the end of the year.