Aviation, tourism add $ 18.2 b to UAE GDP: IATA

Monday, 21 April 2025 01:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that aviation, including aviation-related tourism, generated significant economic value for the UAE in 2023, contributing $ 18.2 billion to GDP and creating 992,000 jobs.

The sector employed 74,500 directly by airlines, with 132,300 employed elsewhere and 297,300 in aviation-related tourism. Additionally, 3.1 million tons of air cargo were handled in 2023.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh said: “The UAE is a critical hub for global connectivity. And the benefits of its super connector role bring trade, tourism, investment, and jobs to the UAE. The leadership of the UAE has a strategic vision for aviation, supported by smart regulation and investment in world-class infrastructure. Supporting nearly a million jobs and 18.2% of GDP, aviation makes an enormous contribution to the UAE’s prosperity—both culturally and economically. And we can be confident that this contribution will strengthen as the UAE continues to facilitate opportunities for aviation to thrive.”

Building on its position as a global aviation leader, the UAE is well-placed to progress in three priority areas:

Sustainability: The UAE has been a leader in the development of Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) and is targeting an annual production of 700 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030. IATA looks forward to the potential for even broader collaboration with the UAE, in pursuit of opportunities to advance progress towards aviation’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal such as the recently launched SAF Registry (operated by CADO).
Infrastructure: As the UAE continues to invest in world class-infrastructure to meet future demand, particularly with the development of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and Zayed International Airport (AUH), it is critical to work with industry to remain a cost competitive hub for airlines and passengers.
Workforce: The UAE is making significant investments in aviation training to ensure a skilled workforce to support growth opportunities. Maintaining a sustainable pipeline of aviation professionals will further strengthen the UAE’s status as a global aviation hub. As part of this effort, a new IATA training centre was recently opened in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

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