The Middle East has become a hotspot for travel and to accommodate its rapid growth airport projects worth a total of $17bn are now underway.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a ‘looming infrastructure crisis’ is possible if countries in the region fail to prepare for the increased demand, with major potential impact on the environment caused by inefficient use of airspace and flight delays.

IATA reports that global airline traffic is expected to grow to 75 billion passengers by 2011, while the Middle East has the strongest international passenger demand with an annual average growth rate of 6.8 per cent.

Total Middle East international passenger numbers are forecast to be 105 million in 2011, an increase of 30 million over 2006 levels. The total global fleet of aircraft is expected to double by 2026, growing from 18,200 to more than 36,400.

Currently there are 59 active airport projects in GCC countries worth a combined total of well over $17bn. The largest of these projects is the Dubai World Central, which will be the world’s largest hub, big enough to handle 120 million passengers, and Qatar’s New Doha International Airport with a capacity of 50 million passengers and 320,000 planes.

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