UAE pulls ahead as region's top aviation gateway with 89 million inbound seats
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The UAE is expected to remain the Middle East's best-connected destination in 2025, pulling further ahead in international air seat capacity as travel demand climbs and digital bookings soar, according to new analysis by Mabrian published on Monday.With 88.9 million inbound international air seats scheduled for 2025 - more than any other Middle Eastern destination - the UAE now ranks as the 7th most connected country in the world. Türkiye follows with 75.6 million seats, and Saudi Arabia ranks third in the region with 43.1 million, the report added.Inbound seat capacity to the UAE is expected to expand by 6.1% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, while the full year-on-year growth in inbound seats is forecast at 3.4%, a touch below the global average. The country's five-year growth, however, tells a different story, with Mabrian's findings revealing that international air connectivity in the UAE has increased by 14.5% since 2019, outpacing many peers and confirming its long-term trajectory as the Middle East's most dominant hub.Mabrian's analysis looked at scheduled international, one-way direct flights to nine key Middle Eastern destinations for the full year 2025. Together, these destinations account for 12% of all inbound international air seats worldwide, with the UAE and Türkiye standing out as the region's top players."Undoubtedly, the UAE and Türkiye have solidified their positions as international hubs for the Middle East - not only due to their strategic geographic locations but also as a result of smart route development strategies," said Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian.Cendra added that much of this success can be traced to the strength of both countries' national carriers and their knack for turning stopovers into an advantage, drawing travellers into the local experience rather than letting them pass straight through.
Cashing in on Growth and Demand But the UAE isn't just about connection - it's also a magnet for arrivals, with the country set to smash its pre-pandemic records within the next year.According to Statista's recent analysis, the UAE is expected to welcome approximately 30 million visitors in 2025 and continue climbing to a record-breaking 44.6 million in 2029 - a 63.32% rise over five years.That growth is translating directly into economic gains. The tourism sector's contribution to GDP is expected to rise from 11.2% in 2024 to approximately 12.4% in 2025 and 12.72% by 2028. In terms of the absolute economic contribution, tourism will jump from an estimated $56 billion in value in 2025 to a $65.1 billion peak in 2029, Statista's March analysis added.A key part of this growth story is the digital travel economy. According to a separate study by VIDEC, published two weeks ago, the UAE's OTA (online travel agency) air market reached $679 million in 2024, up 20% from the year before, and is projected to hit $1.1 billion by 2028.In the hotel sector, the UAE's OTA market reached $940 million in 2024, with Booking.com controlling over half the online share. The online penetration rate for hotels stands at 44%, and like the air market, is forecast to grow in tandem with rising digital adoption and inbound demand, the VIDEC study added.
"The UAE is an ultimate global village, and its cosmopolitan nature presents unique challenges yet rewarding potential for those adept at catering to its diversified customer base," said Virendra Jain, Co-founder and CEO at VIDEC.
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