Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub by international passengers. AFP
Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub by international passengers. AFP
Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub by international passengers. AFP
Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub by international passengers. AFP

Middle East air passenger traffic in 2023 to reach 96.8% of pre-Covid levels


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

The Middle East's air passenger traffic is forecast to reach 96.8 per cent of pre-Covid levels in 2023, handling 394 million travellers, as the region continues its recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

The region's passenger volumes are expected to fully recover in 2024, with a projected 429 million travellers, or 105.4 per cent of 2019 levels, according to the Airports Council International World.

The Middle East was the fastest-recovering travel market in 2022 with this streak expected to continue in 2023, the trade association for airports – representing nearly 2,000 airports worldwide – said in its industry outlook for 2023–2024.

This comes as the Middle East's tourism sector has recorded the strongest post-pandemic rebound in the world, despite persistent global economic challenges, according to a separate report by HSBC.

The region, home to the biggest Arab economy, Saudi Arabia, and the global leisure and commercial hub of the UAE, is unique in recording a “total recovery” in terms of tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, the bank said in its August report.

The number of tourist arrivals in the first three months of this year climbed 15 per cent compared with levels recorded in 2019.

ACI World projects that global air travel will nearly return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, with all regions expected to reach this mark in 2024.

Global volumes in 2023 will reach 8.6 billion passengers, which is 94.2 per cent of the 2019 level, before fully recovering in 2024.

Next year is expected to be a milestone for global passenger traffic recovery as it reaches 9.4 billion passengers, exceeding the 9.2 billion passengers recorded in 2019.

However, compared with the pre-Covid forecast that predicted 10.9 billion passengers globally in 2024, the effects of the pandemic represent a potential loss of 13.9 per cent, ACI World's data shows.

"Upside factors include the reopening of the Chinese market and surge in domestic travel, supply chain disruptions gradually subsiding and inflation slowing down," said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, ACI World's director general.

"While downside risks remain present ... we are filled with optimism about the industry's future.

"This sector remains a steadfast force in global economic recovery, bridging connections among people, cultures and economies.”

The Latin America and Caribbean region is forecast to be the first in the world to surpass its 2019 level.

This year, the region is estimated to reach 707 million passengers, or 102.9 per cent of the level in 2019. In 2024, the region is expected to welcome 759 million passengers, or 110.5 per cent of the pre-Covid level.

Emerging markets such as Colombia and Mexico are predicted to drive the region to recover beyond 2019 levels, the report said.

Africa is expected to reach 221 million passengers, or 96.3 per cent of the 2019 level, in 2023. The region is forecast to reach 253 million passengers, or 110.6 per cent of the pre-Covid level, by the end of 2024.

This steady growth is expected to be driven by emerging markets such as Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, ACI World said.

Asia-Pacific is expected to record a "substantial jump" in passenger traffic in the first half of 2023 along with the continuing opening of the Chinese market.

However, its recovery is predicted to slow significantly in the second half of the year due to challenges in overseas tourism and looming economic concerns, the report said.

By the end of the year, the region is expected to reach 2.9 billion passengers, or 87.3 per cent of the 2019 level.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to reach approximately 3.4 billion passengers, or 99.5 per cent of the pre-Covid level, in 2024.

Recovery in Europe is expected to slow this year and next, in contrast with the sharp surge recorded during its 2022 summer season, ACI World said.

By the end of 2023, about 2.3 billion passengers are expected in the region, or 95.5 per cent of the 2019 level. This will further increase in 2024 while at a slower pace, to about 2.5 billion passengers, or 101.4 per cent of the pre-pandemic level.

By the end of 2023, North America is estimated to reach two billion passengers, or 99.8 per cent of the 2019 level.

While the region showed a strong recovery during 2021 and 2022, driven by domestic travel, its growth for the next couple of years is expected to continue at a slower pace, ACI World said.

In 2024, passenger traffic in the region is forecast to reach 2.1 billion passengers, or 103.7 per cent of the pre-Covid level.

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Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

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Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

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Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
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Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
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The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final

Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')

The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

Match info

Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')

Southampton 0

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Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)

Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)

Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)

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When: Saturday November 24

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

FIXTURES

Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan

The top two teams qualify for the World Cup

Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.

Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

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  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

Updated: September 29, 2023, 4:46 AM`