UPFRONT
Boeing forecasts return to growth for ME aviation AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER BOEING anticipates demand for 2,945 new
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airplanes in the Middle East valued at US$685 billion over the next two decades as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic in the medium and long term. The projection is part of Boeing’s 2020 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), an annual forecast of 20-year demand for commercial airplanes and services. The 2020 CMO reflects the impact of the pandemic and Boeing’s view of near- medium- and long-term market dynamics globally and regionally. Commercial aviation and services markets will continue to face significant challenges earlier in the 20-year forecast, while showing resilience and a return to growth trend over the longer term, it says. Over the next 20 years, passenger traffic growth in the Middle East is projected to increase by an average of 4.3 per cent per year, above the global average of four percent growth annually. “In recent decades, several airlines in the Middle East have leveraged their geographical position to connect rapidly growing Asian economies and the more mature markets in Europe,” said Darren Hulst, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Marketing. “At the historical crossroads connecting Europe, Africa and Asia, the Middle East and its airlines will remain a critical hub of sixthfreedom passenger flows and cargo throughout the 20-year outlook.” The Middle East commercial fleet is expected to reach 3,500 by 2039 – more than doubling the current 1,510 airplanes – to address replacement needs and growth, according to the CMO.
SAUDIA unveils G20 livery SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA)
has customised the livery of three of its aircraft to mark the kingdom’s G20 presidency. An A320, B787-9 and B777-300ER were transformed to welcome participants to the virtual G20 Summit, which ran from November 21 to 22 in the capital, Riyadh. The bespoke livery reflected the theme of this year’s G20 meeting – ‘Realising Opportunities of the 21st Century for All’. SAUDIA is also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year as one of the first airlines established in the Middle East region. The carrier currently serves 95 destinations across four continents to all 28 domestic airports in the kingdom.
DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
EMIRATES ROLLS OUT MORE A380 SERVICES TO UK AND RUSSIA EMIRATES HAS SIGNIFICANTLY upped its A380 services to the UK and Russia. The airline now operates its super jumbo four times a day to London Heathrow, six times a week to Manchester and has increased its twice-weekly service to Moscow to daily. Flights to UK cities Birmingham and Glasgow have also increased from four-a-week to daily, while an additional four weekly flights will be operated by a B777-300ER to Manchester. The expansion of Emirates’ UK services follows the recent establishment of the UK-UAE air travel corridor with travellers entering the UK from the UAE no longer be required to quarantine. In the other direction, UK travellers heading to Dubai can opt to take their COVID-19 PCR tests 96 hours in advance of their flight, or on arrival in Dubai, making travel to the destination easier. Emirates’ enhanced services to Moscow will meet increased demand from leisure and business travellers visiting Dubai and other onward destinations across its network.
EMIRATES IN FLYSAFAIR PARTNERSHIP IT’S NOW EASIER TO FLY to
key destinations in South Africa, thanks to a new partnership between Emirates and FlySafair. The UAE airline and South African low-cost carrier have signed an interline agreement, providing singleticket travel and through-tagging of baggage for travellers transferring from Emirates’ three gateways – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban – to FlySafair destinations in South Africa, including Port Elizabeth, East London and George.
