Covid-19 was not kind to aviation. But in a sign of how remarkably quick the sector is rebounding around the world, some major carriers are seeing much faster than expected recoveries.
The UAE, a global centre of aviation, is home to many of them. Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways made record profits in the first half of 2022, the result of what it said was a rebound in passenger demand, growth in its cargo operation and the easing of Covid-19 health measures. Dubai's Emirates remains one of the world’s top 10 airlines by passenger traffic, carrying more than 19 million people in 2021. It was ranked third best airline in the global 2022 Skytrax awards. On the low-cost end, flydubai carried 2.3 million passengers in the first-quarter of this year, an increase of more than 110 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Public and private entities alike are capitalising on the momentum. In one of the biggest stories from the country's aviation sector this year, it was announced on Tuesday that Abu Dhabi's holding company ADQ submitted an offer to Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) to combine major parts of their portfolios. Under the proposal, ADQ's stake in three aviation firms – Etihad Engineering, the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Centre and its 50 per cent stake in Global Aerospace Logistics – will be merged with ADA, in order to create a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operator.
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Employees work on parts for Airbus and Boeing in the Assembly section at the Strata Manufacturing facility in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National -
Outside view of the Strata Facilities in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National -
An employee works on parts for Airbus and Boeing in the CNC section (Computer Numerical Control) at the Strata Manufacturing facility in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National -
Employees work on parts for Airbus and Boeing in the Assembly section at the Strata Manufacturing facility in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National -
Passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport can take advantage of Duty Free Shopping at the many shops at the airport. Delores Johnson / The National -
Passengers travel to the First and Business Class check-in desks at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Delores Johnson / The National -
A passenger checks in at the Etihad Airways Business Class guest counter at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Delores Johnson / The National -
Dubai Airports has partnered with Deliveroo to bring passengers food orders directly to their gate at DXB's Terminal 3. Courtesy Dubai Airports -
Etihad has introduced a Covid-19 self-assesment tool for travellers and is offering at-home PCR tests in partnership with Mediclinic for UAE travellers. Courtesy Etihad -
Etihad has introduced a series of new measures to protect passengers from Covid-19 when travelling. Courtesy Etihad -
Fit to Fly, a touchless self-service check-in and health screening system being trialled in Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways. Victor Besa / The National -
An Etihad Cabin Crew member receives a Covid-19 vaccine. -
Stickers on the floor encouraging passengers to remain 2 metres apart while queueing. Courtesy of Etihad Airways. -
Signage encouraging social distancing on public seating in Abu Dhabi International Airport. Courtesy of Etihad Airways -
Temperature scanning before boarding a flight. Courtesy of Etihad Airways. -
An Etihad in-flight 'Wellness Ambassador'. Courtesy of Etihad Airways -
Emirates was the first airline to conduct on-site rapid Covid-19 tests for passengers. The quick blood test was conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. Courtesy Emirates -
Emirates passengers headed to Tunisia undergo rapid tests for Covid-19 at Dubai International Airport. The results of the tests were available within 10 minutes. Courtesy Emirates -
A member of staff cleans to protect travellers from Covid-19 as people travel from Dubai Airport terminal 3 in Dubai. -
A man is seen through a thermal camera at Dubai International Airport, as Emirates airline resumed limited outbound passenger flights amid the coronavirus outbreak. -
Dubai International airport as seen in the 1960s. -
Dubai International airport as seen in the 1960s. -
An air display by the Airbus A 350 on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2021. Chris Whiteoak/ The National -
Visitors attend the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2021. Chris Whiteoak/ The National -
Emirates airliners are seen on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport on January 13, 2021. Reuters
MRO is a wide label used to describe the general process of maintaining tools that keep a business running on a day-to-day basis, particularly important in a field as safety-conscious and active as aviation. Over the next 10 years, the industry is expected to be worth $1 trillion globally, according to Aviation Week Network, a major aviation news outlet.
Speaking about the news, ADQ's managing director and chief executive, Mohamed Alsuwaidi, said: “The proposed transaction will further position Abu Dhabi as a world-leading centre of aviation excellence, combining the strengths of each asset to form a global MRO and aviation services champion to capitalise on growth opportunities in the aviation industry.”
A new combined entity would have roughly $2.6 billion in assets. But this move is about more than generating revenue. It would bring the emirate a business that consolidates its position as a leading centre of logistics, supply chain management and engineering in the region. On a national level, it would be another example among many of the UAE turning into a key stop in global supply chains and trade flows, alongside its huge network of ports that operate domestically but also invest heavily abroad.
In today's stressed world, building capacity in this field is about revenue, stability and security. Having more sway in global trade flows does not solve high prices and supply shortages, but it can offer more flexibility and influence in difficult times.
Overall, the move is an example of how Abu Dhabi is diversifying its economy and not losing sight of the profitability of sectors other than energy, even as prices boom. Aviation was an early non-oil success story in the UAE. Even after some very tough years, that momentum remains today.
