Top 10 Airlines in the Middle East

Forty years ago, most global airlines viewed the Middle East’s key markets as a purely technical stopover. They made these stops on their way from Europe to Southeast Asia. These stopovers offered cheap fuel in the early hours of the morning. In 2024, the Middle East is now one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, with leading global airlines. They have proved this by competing to operate the world’s most comprehensive networks with the highest possible levels of service. This transformation can only be described as astonishing, visionary in its idea, and exemplary in its execution. As a consequence, the region is transformed into a hub for the aviation industry. It connects almost every major city in the world to at least one of its major hubs. In this article we will explore the top 10 airlines in the Middle East as rated by the World Airline Awards by SkyTrax.

10 Air Arabia

Air Arabia is an Emirate low-cost private airline. It was launched in February 2003. It is the first Emirates airline in the Middle East. Its headquarters are in Terminal A1 of the Sharjah Cargo Centre, Sharjah International Airport, United Arab Emirates. Its fleet consists of 77 aircraft.

9 Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways is the Kuwaiti main airline. Kuwait Airways was established in 1953. Its headquarters are in the capital, Kuwait, and it takes Kuwait International Airport as the center of its operations. Kuwait Airways provides its services to 39 destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Kuwait Airways is a member of the Arab Air Transport Association. Its fleet consists of 29 aircraft.

8 flyDubai

Flydubai or Air Dubai is an Emirati national airline that operates a low-cost aviation system. Flydubai is the second low-cost airline company to be established in the UAE after Air Arabia. It was established by the Dubai government on March 19, 2008. The headquarters are in The Emirate of Dubai, with its center of operations at Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport. Flydubai offers its services to 12 destinations. It currently operates only Boeing 737 aircraft with 30 Boeing 787s on order.

7 Flynas

Flynas is a private Saudi “closed joint stock” low-cost airline. It is the first low-cost airline in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its headquarters is located in the capital, Riyadh. It operates more than 1,500 flights weekly. These flights cover over 70 local and international destinations. The destinations are located in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa. It operates at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Flynas also operates at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Its fleet consists of 60 aircraft.

6 Gulf Air

Gulf Air is Bahrain’s national airline. It is headquartered at Bahrain International Airport, which is also the center of its operations. The airline provides its services to more than 40 destinations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Its fleet consists of 42 aircraft.

5 Oman Air

Oman Air is the national airline of Oman. Its headquarters is in the city of Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. It uses Muscat International Airport as its center of operations, in addition to its second subsidiary center at Salalah Airport. Oman Air provides its services to more than 25 destinations in North Africa, Asia, and Europe. Oman Air is a member of the Arab Air Transport Association. Its fleet consists of 42 aircraft.

4 Saudia

Saudia is the national Saudi airline, with a 5-star airline rating, and a member of the Arab Air Transport Association. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah serves as its main center for operations. It also has branches at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Saudia provides its services to 100 destinations in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Its fleet consists of 160 aircraft.

3 Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the UAE’s national airline, fully owned by the Abu Dhabi government-owned holding company ADQ. Its headquarters is located in the capital, Abu Dhabi, and its operations are based at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Airways offers a wide range of options to its guests worldwide. It has an integrated network that includes more than 400 destinations with 56 partners in the aviation sector. Its fleet consists of 95 aircraft.

2 Emirates

Emirates Airlines is an Emirati national airline. It is based at Dubai International Airport in the Emirate of Dubai. The airport serves as its headquarters and the center of its operations. Emirates Airlines provides its services to more than 120 destinations around the world. Emirates Airlines is distinguished by its rapid growth rate as a global carrier. Its aircraft fleet is one of the youngest current fleets. Emirates Airlines owns about 250 aircraft of various models.

1 Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is the national airline of the country of Qatar. The airline operates a hub network from its base at Hamad International Airport. It connects more than 150 international destinations around Africa, Asia, and other continents, using a fleet of 230 aircraft.

We’d love to hear from you! Have you had the chance to fly with any of these top 10 airlines in the Middle East? Share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below!

Farouk Diab

I am Farouk Mohammed a 16 year-old student at STEM High School for Boys – 6th of October. My major is Astronomy and Astrophysics with some concentration in physics, proving this passion with my success in achieving the silver medal at the Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO).

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