ATM 2026 will address the rapid growth of the Middle East’s aviation and cruise industries | News
The Middle East’s aviation and cruise industry is entering a phase of global expansion, cementing the region’s status as a major international travel hub. These industries will be the center of attention in the near future Arab Travel Market (ATM) 2026which takes place from May 4 to 7 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, developed in partnership with Oxford Economics firm Tourism Economics, Middle Eastern air passenger demand is expected to grow by 23% between 2025 and 2030, driven by ambitious national tourism strategies, record airport performance and unprecedented aircraft investment in the GCC.
The region’s four largest airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia, have placed almost 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, underlining long-term confidence in global demand. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern airlines together account for 12% of all new unfulfilled aircraft orders globally, while GCC airlines are responsible for 93% of those orders, the report said.
The expansion of fleet capacity is directly reflected in the extent of global connectivity that Middle Eastern airlines now achieve. Qatar Airways serves more than 170 destinations worldwide, while Etihad Airways is expected to operate a fleet of more than 110 aircraft, connecting to more than 90 destinations from the end of 2025. Emirates currently flies to 140 destinations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific, and Saudia operates direct flights to more than 90 international destinations. Together, these networks underscore the region’s growing role as a global aviation super-connector, connecting markets on six continents with increasing frequency and reach.
Furthermore, Dubai-based Maldivian airline Beond recently announced plans to set up operations in Bahrain, strengthening the kingdom’s position as a hub for luxury travel, while AirAsiaX, the Malaysian low-cost airline based in Kuala Lumpur, has chosen the country as a regional bridge to connect Asia and Europe, significantly boosting tourism.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Additional Middle Eastern airlines connect hundreds of destinations across six continents, firmly establishing the region as one of the most strategically connected aviation hubs in the world. This unparalleled connectivity accelerates the growth of inbound and outbound tourism, strengthens global trade corridors, promotes business events and deepens cultural exchange between markets.
“At ATM 2026 we will showcase the full scale of this global network, providing the space where aviation leaders can shape the next phase of fleet expansion, smart mobility and sustainable growth as we look ahead to the next era of travel.”
The aviation outlook will be explored in depth during the Aviation Predictions 2030: Networks, Fleet Futures & the Future of Mobility session on the global stage, alongside The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality, presented by Euromonitor and Asia-GCC Corridor: The Next Great Growth Engine.
On the Future Stage, sessions such as Automated Aviation: Smarter Skies, Cabins & Lounge Experiences and The Business Case for Booking with Flexibility will explore how AI, biometrics and next-generation aircraft are transforming the passenger journey.
Leading aviation exhibitors confirmed for ATM 2026 to date include Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai, flynas, flyadeal, dnata, Icelandair and Air Charter Service, reinforcing ATM’s status as a truly global aviation marketplace.
Cruising is also experiencing strong growth. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global number of cruise passengers is expected to reach 42 million in 2028, up from 34.6 million in 2024.
Regionally, the Middle East market is expected to welcome more than 2 million cruise passengers by 2025, with more than 300,000 port visits to destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Aqaba and Salalah, according to the trends report. The Red Sea region alone was expected to attract around 500,000 passengers in 2025, more than half of which would call at Jeddah.
Additionally, research from Tourism Economics shows that travelers interested in visiting the Middle East are almost twice as likely to consider a cruise vacation as travelers considering other regions, underscoring significant growth potential.
“With the launch of new cruise lines in Saudi Arabia and expanded itineraries to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, the region is strengthening its position on the global cruise map. ATM 2026 will provide a platform for cruise leaders and destination stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable growth strategies,” said Curtis.
Cruise insights will be showcased on the Global Stage during Cruising Insight: Ripple Effects of the Blue Economy and the Cruise Leaders: Putting Cruise on the Map roundtable, with participation from Oxford Economics, Ayan Consulting, Celestyal Cruises, Inchcape Shipping Services and TUI Cruises.
Confirmed cruise exhibitors include Cruise Saudi, MSC Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions and CruiseXplore.
With more than 55,000 travel professionals expected to attend and more than 2,800 exhibiting companies from 166 countries, ATM 2026 will explore the future of travel under the theme ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers through Innovation and Technology’, highlighting growth trends and innovations shaping the next chapter of the industry.
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