The Middle East is home to several globally influential airlines that play a central role in international connectivity. These carriers offer strong network coverage, varied product propositions, and commercial opportunities across premium, leisure, group, and price-sensitive segments, making them key partners for the global travel trade.
These airlines fly-off from hub airports in the Middle East. Middle Eastern airports are vital not only as travel and logistics hubs but also as engines of economic development and global connectivity.
1. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is a global carrier known for its premium positioning, extensive long-haul network, and strong performance across corporate and leisure segments. Qatar Airways recently launched the world’s first Starlink-Equipped Boeing 787 and completed Airbus A350 Starlink rollout, connecting over 11 million passengers with the fastest Wi Fi in the sky. Its consistent service standards and broad international reach make it a preferred airline for high-yield and multi-sector itineraries.
2. Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways combines premium service with a growing focus on leisure and destination-led travel. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, had said: "2025 was a year of strong growth for Etihad. We carried more than 22 million passengers - the highest annual total in our history – while improving our service, product and customer satisfaction across the year. Etihad Airways has been ranked among the top airlines globally in the prestigious 2025 AirHelp Score. Through strategic partnerships and targeted route development, the airline offers the trade flexible options across key global markets.
3. Emirates
Emirates operates one of the world’s largest international networks, supported by high frequencies and strong brand recognition. Emirates marked a significant year in 2025, celebrating its 40th anniversary and achieving numerous milestones. The airline is a major driver of long-haul leisure and corporate travel, offering significant opportunities for stopover products, premium sales, and trade partnerships.
4. Saudia
As Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia plays a critical role in regional and long-haul connectivity. It is a key airline for religious travel markets while increasingly supporting international leisure demand as Saudi Arabia expands its tourism footprint.Saudia has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet with 149 aircraft. Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is reinforcing its role as the airline supporting access to the country’s most anticipated events throughout 2026.
5. Oman Air
Oman Air positions itself as a quality-driven carrier with a focus on service and comfort. Recently Oman Air has launched a major revamp of its guest servicing operations, helping it to deliver a more responsive, seamless and connected travel experience. The award-winning airline has been instrumental in transforming Muscat into one of the Middle East’s
most desirable travel destinations and for offering the signature Omani hospitality to every
guest throughout their journey. Its network supports niche leisure, experiential travel, and long-haul connections, making it attractive for differentiated tour products.
6. Gulf Air
Gulf Air provides regional and medium-haul connectivity with a strong emphasis on business and leisure travel flows. It remains a reliable option for travel trade partners seeking access to Gulf, European, and South Asian markets. Gulf Air has been recognised as a “Five-Star Major Airline” by APEX for the year 2026, and its fleet comprises 10 Boeing 787 aircraft and 34 Airbus A320/A321 aircraft.
7. Royal Jordanian
Royal Jordanian is a well-established network carrier serving Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Royal Jordanian Airlines marks its 62nd anniversary since its establishment by the late King Hussein bin Talal in 1963. It is particularly relevant for cultural, heritage, and religious tourism, supporting multi-destination and specialist itineraries.
8. flydubai
flydubai operates an expanding network focused on underserved and secondary markets. With competitive pricing and connectivity options, it is a valuable airline for short-haul leisure, regional traffic, and cost-effective travel solutions. From its home in Dubai, flydubai has created a network of more than 135 destinations served by a fleet of 97 aircraft. It opened more than 100 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.
9. Air Arabia
Air Arabia is a leading low-cost carrier in the region, serving price-sensitive markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Its low-fare model supports high-volume leisure and diaspora travel for trade partners. Air Arabia operates one of the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across the fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch compared to any economy cabin.
10. Kuwait Airways
Kuwait Airways offers steady regional and international connectivity with consistent demand from corporate, government, and VFR segments. Kuwait Airways recently announced the launch of new destinations for its 2026 summer season, including Alexandria, Zurich, Mykonos, Malaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Salalah, Antalya, Trabzon, Sarajevo, Vienna, and Bodrum. The airline remains an important regional partner with long-term growth potential.
The dominance of Middle Eastern carriers is a testament to the region’s "Aviation First" economic strategy, which prioritises seamless connectivity and world-class service. With hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh now serving over 80% of the world's population within an eight-hour flight, these airlines provide the "bridge" necessary for complex, multi-sector itineraries. The rise of carriers like flydubai and Air Arabia further complements this by opening previously underserved secondary markets.
The massive investments in "Smart Airports" and the rollout of cutting-edge technology—such as Qatar Airways’ Starlink integration and the "borderless" passenger flows in the UAE—ensure that the ground experience matches the premium service in the air. This reliability reduces the logistical risks for travel trade partners.
Middle Eastern airlines are currently leading global profitability, with IATA forecasting a net profit of $28.60 per passenger in 2026—more than triple the global average. This financial health allows for continued fleet modernization and competitive trade incentives, making these carriers stable, long-term partners in a volatile global economy.
Ultimately, the 2026 landscape is defined by Saudi Arabia’s tourism explosion, the UAE’s operational maturity, and the GCC Unified Visa initiative, which is set to unlock 12 million additional trips. For the global travel trade, aligning with these Middle Eastern giants is the strategic key to capturing the next wave of high-yield, international travel demand.
