Aircraft
Middle East Airlines Are Thriving, Growing Locally
There is a large regional presence beyond Gulf ‘Big Three,’ and it’s increasing all the time.
Leaders of six airlines in Etihad Airways Partners recently met with top carrier management. From left to right: Bruno Matheu, chief operating officer equity partners, Etihad Airways; Roy Kinnear, CEO, Air Seychelles; Stefan Pichler, CEO, airberlin; James Hogan, president and CEO, Etihad Airways; Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, chairman, Alitalia; Maurizio Merlo, CEO, Etihad Regional; Cramer Ball, CEO, Jet Airways; Dane Kondic, CEO, Air Serbia.
Leaders of six airlines in Etihad Airways Partners recently met with top carrier management. From left to right: Bruno Matheu, chief operating officer equity partners, Etihad Airways; Roy Kinnear, CEO, Air Seychelles; Stefan Pichler, CEO, airberlin; James Hogan, president and CEO, Etihad Airways; Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, chairman, Alitalia; Maurizio Merlo, CEO, Etihad Regional; Cramer Ball, CEO, Jet Airways; Dane Kondic, CEO, Air Serbia.

As the region’s biggest country, it would be reasonable to expect that Saudi Arabia would be the biggest mover and shaker in Middle East aviation. But the UAE has taken that role for itself. In addition to Emirates Airline and Abu Dhabi-based ‘national carrier’ Etihad Airways, Flydubai and Air Arabia are also thriving.