Aviation and cruise sectors in the Middle East are expanding their global reach, with strong passenger growth and major aircraft orders placing the region at the centre of international travel.
The developments will take centre stage at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market 2026, scheduled to run from May 4 to 7 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Air travel growth
According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, prepared with Tourism Economics, Middle East air passenger demand is expected to grow by 23 percent between 2025 and 2030. The growth is linked to national tourism strategies, airport expansion and aircraft investment across the GCC.
The region’s four largest airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia, have placed nearly 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus. Middle East airlines account for 12 percent of all new unfilled aircraft orders worldwide, with GCC carriers responsible for 93 percent of those orders.
Qatar Airways currently serves more than 170 destinations. Etihad Airways is set to operate over 110 aircraft connecting to more than 90 destinations by the end of 2025. Emirates flies to 140 destinations across six continents, while Saudia operates direct services to more than 90 international destinations.
Dubai-based airline Beond has announced plans to start operations in Bahrain. Malaysia’s AirAsiaX has also selected Bahrain as a regional bridge linking Asia and Europe.
ATM 2026 focus
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Middle Eastern carriers connect hundreds of destinations across six continents, firmly establishing the region as one of the most strategically connected aviation hubs in the world. This unmatched connectivity is accelerating inbound and outbound tourism growth, strengthening global trade corridors, advancing business events, and deepening cultural exchange between markets.
“At ATM 2026, we will showcase the full scale of this global network, providing the space where aviation leaders can shape the next phase of fleet expansion, smart mobility and sustainable growth as we look ahead to the next era of travel.”
Aviation sessions at the event will include Aviation Predictions 2030: Networks, Fleet Futures & the Future of Mobility, and The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality. Other discussions will focus on AI, biometrics and next-generation aircraft technology.
Confirmed aviation exhibitors include Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai, flynas, flyadeal, dnata, Icelandair and Air Charter Service.
Cruise sector rise
Cruise tourism is also expanding. According to Cruise Lines International Association, global cruise passenger numbers are expected to reach 42 million by 2028, up from 34.6 million in 2024.
The Middle East is projected to welcome more than 2 million cruise passengers in 2025, with over 300,000 port visits across destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Aqaba and Salalah. The Red Sea region alone is expected to attract around 500,000 passengers, with more than half stopping in Jeddah.
Tourism Economics research shows travellers interested in the Middle East are almost twice as likely to consider a cruise holiday compared to those looking at other regions.
“With new cruise lines launching in Saudi Arabia and expanded Red Sea and Arabian Gulf itineraries, the region is strengthening its position on the global cruise map. ATM 2026 will provide a platform for cruise leaders and destination stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable growth strategies,” Curtis added.
Cruise exhibitors confirmed for ATM 2026 include Cruise Saudi, MSC Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions and CruiseXplore.
More than 55,000 travel professionals and 2,800 exhibitors from 166 countries are expected to attend ATM 2026, which will run under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
