Air Arabia launched the first LCC flights in the region in 2003.

Mideast low-cost carrier growth slows, but opportunities remain

The explosive growth rate of low-cost carriers in the Middle East has slowed in recent years, but the market is still ripe for exploitation as LCC penetration remains very low in the region compared to many other parts of the world, according to a new report by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
Middle East: Wednesday, April 11 - 2012 at 17:11
The profitability of GCC carries vary widely across the region.

Not all Gulf carriers have rosy outlook

Although Gulf airlines are forecast to register a healthy profit in 2012, there is a wide disparity in their balance sheets, as some carriers across the region are among the most profitable in the world while others are at risk of being shut down.
Middle East: Tuesday, April 10 - 2012 at 15:05
Bahrain's tourism sector was hit hard by civil unrest in 2011.

Bahrain tourism looks to get back on track

After seeing tourist arrivals fall dramatically last year in the wake of the political unrest in the country, Bahrain is hoping that the return of the Formula One race will be a catalyst that will help revive the country's tourism sector.
Bahrain: Thursday, March 29 - 2012 at 16:19
Oman was chosen as the capital of Arab Tourism for 2012.

Oman touts new initiatives aimed at boosting tourism

Oman is making a push to expand its tourism revenues as part of an effort to diversify the country's economy.
Oman: Thursday, March 29 - 2012 at 11:26
Tensions in the Gulf are raising fuel prices for carriers.

Rising oil prices to curb airline profits in 2012, says IATA

The International Air Transport Association has cut its global profit estimate for the industry to $3bn from $3.5bn due to rising oil prices, but raised its forecast for Middle Eastern carriers as regional differences widen.
Middle East: Tuesday, March 20 - 2012 at 08:01
Effective August 1, 2012, Emirates will fly to Karachi five times a day.

Emirates adds fifth daily flight to Karachi

Emirates Airline has strengthened its commitment to Pakistan by announcing the addition of a fifth daily flight to and from the city of Karachi.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 19 - 2012 at 11:12
The carrier will now offer three connections between Dammam and India.

Jet Airways to launch Dammam-Delhi service

Jet Airways India, the country's top private-sector carrier, has announced that it will provide a direct connection between Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Delhi four times a week from March 17, 2012.
Saudi Arabia: Thursday, March 15 - 2012 at 14:12
The mena region saw steep rises and falls in room rates in 2011.

Muscat's hotel room rates top world list

Hotel performance varied widely in the Mena region last year in the wake of the Arab Spring, as it was home to the city with the highest average room rates in the world, as well as the five destinations where room rates dropped the most, according to a new survey by Hotels.com.
Middle East: Wednesday, March 14 - 2012 at 15:38
Etihad is keen to acquire more stakes in carriers across the globe.

Etihad seeking more partnerships to fuel rapid growth

Etihad Airways is actively seeking to buy stakes in more carriers across the globe as part of an effort to expand its network and grow its customer base.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, March 13 - 2012 at 12:03
The new service will take the total number of Emirates flights offered to Italy to 56 a week.

Emirates to fly three times daily to Rome

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced that it will add a third daily flight to Rome beginning in October.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, March 13 - 2012 at 09:32
IHG plans to open nine hotels in Saudi Arabia over the next 3-5 years.

Middle East's first Hotel Indigo to open in Saudi Arabia

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, has announced plans to open two new hotels in Saudi Arabia, including the first Hotel Indigo in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia: Monday, March 12 - 2012 at 12:19

Dubai sees 10% rise in tourists in 2011

Benefitting from its perception as a safe haven in the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Spring, Dubai enjoyed a strong rise in tourist arrivals in 2011.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, March 08 - 2012 at 09:01
Hotels in Dubai saw RevPAR climb to $287.25 during the month of January.

UAE hotels off to a strong start in 2012

Hotels in Dubai outperformed other markets in the region by a wide margin in January while Abu Dhabi hotels enjoyed double digit growth in occupancy during the month, according to the latest HotStats survey of full-service hotels in six MENA cities by TRI Hospitality Consulting.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, March 04 - 2012 at 12:48
Emirates is Boeing's largest customer for the 777.

Emirates to take delivery of 1000th Boeing 777

Dubai-based Emirates Airline is to take delivery of the 1000th Boeing 777 tomorrow (March 2), at a special ceremony to be held in Seattle, Washington. With the delivery of the airplane to Emirates, the 777 will reach 1,000 deliveries faster than any other twin-aisle airplane in history.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, March 01 - 2012 at 15:08
Middle East carriers boosted their capacity by 10.6% in January.

Middle East carriers see 14.5% rise in demand in January

Middle East carriers enjoyed the highest increase in the world for passenger demand and cargo freight in the month of January, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Middle East: Wednesday, February 29 - 2012 at 15:54