Middle Eastern carriers are expanding as fast as they can in hopes of redefining their region as the aviation crossroads of the globe.

Middle Eastern carriers are expanding as fast as they can in hopes of redefining their region as the aviation crossroads of the globe. While most airlines worldwide are undergoing their worst crisis so far, the Middle-Eastern government-backed airlines thrive ; Emirates is even creating a new low-cost airline, FlyDubai, scheduled to start operations next year. The technological capacity of new-generation aircraft is allowing the Gulf to leverage its geographical position at an east-west, north-south crossroads, putting 80% of the world’s most attractive markets within non-stop reach. $54 billion are being poured into airport expansion in the region over the next decade, while airlines have ordered 700 planes at a cost of $140 billion over the past 3 years. Experts expect Emirates to rise from 23rd position last year, among world airlines, in terms of passenger traffic, into the top 10. International Herald Tribune