DUBAI, New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Middle East Airports Infrastructure Market, finds that Middle East airports will invest $86 billion in expansion plans. This is estimated to double after 2025, with major airports in the region pursuing their aim of becoming global hubs.

This emerging dominance, coupled with an A 380 order backlog of 50 per cent of global deliveries, will drive the aviation industry as a whole in the Middle East.

Gautam Ratan Kanal, Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst comments: "The emergence of the Middle East as a global hub in the future is attributed to the expansion of the 12 major airports across the region that constitute over 90 per cent of the total investment of $86 billion in the region.

"The current economic slowdown will not impact the Middle East commercial aviation industry and airport development activities will persist despite the slowdown as most expansion activities are funded by governments in these countries."

The cumulative effect of these factors is reflected in statistics related to market growth. Passenger traffic, cargo traffic and aircraft movement across major airports in the region is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7, 8.5 and 4.8 per cent respectively from 2008 to 2015.

The Middle East is projected to be the only region that will witness an increase in traffic as a result of the growing demand for air travel in the region.

The Middle East airports infrastructure market is mutually interrelated to the growth in traffic at these emerging global hubs. The 12 airports in the region, despite handling a majority of the traffic, do not have the capacity to cater to the growing numbers and hence have called for large-scale expansion.

With 57 per cent of investments being allocated for construction and terminal expansion, the region is anticipated to offer significant potential for private infrastructural investors.

However, one of the main concerns for the market is the scarcity of land. Another key factor threatening market prospects is the political heterogeneity across the region.

"It is vital for governments to clearly identify their limitations and act accordingly for the welfare of the industry and the region," cautions Gautam Ratan Kanal. "The lack of technically skilled labour, unfeasible labour costs and scarcity of land are likely to hamper market growth in the region."

Following build-operate-transfer (BOT) models for expansion, with the grant of concession to private operators, is regarded as a solution to overcome these challenges. Private investors that have government backing will be in a better position to smoothly execute expansion and operation plans.

"The civil aviation authorities of respective airports need to examine private participation in expanding and operating airports in order to leverage operational efficiencies," concludes Gautam Ratan Kanal.