Air passenger traffic in the Arab world grew eight per cent during the first half of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, according to the latest figures from the Arab Air Carriers’ Organisation (AACO).
Passenger traffic between the Arab world and other regions grew 10.2 per cent and within the Arab world it increased by 3.4 per cent.
During the first quarter of 2007, the Arab air transport market (passenger traffic both within the Arab world and with other world regions) grew 12 per cent on the first quarter of 2006.
Growth with world regions reached 16 per cent and within the Arab world it reached six per cent, compared to the first quarter 2006.
In the second quarter of 2007, Arab airlines acquired 36 new aircraft and phased out 25. The new aircraft are: 72 per cent wide body, 17 per cent narrow body and 11 per cent regional.
The average age per aircraft was 7.49 years.
Airbus and Boeing lost one per cent and three per cent market share respectively to Embraer and Bombardier whose market share reached 15 per cent in the second quarter of 2007.
According to forecasts from Airclaims and AACO, Arab airlines will add more than 60 aircraft to their fleet in 2008, with nearly 50 being added the following year. In this 2010, the number of additions is expected to fall to 40 while in 2011 it is estimated to be about 25.