Middle East aviation market briefing

Monthly Middle Eastern airline data updates

November 2026

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34.0m seats
▼ −8.5% YoY vs 37.2m in
Top airline
Emirates −6.7% YoY
3.05m
Top airport
Dubai · DXB −15.6% YoY
4.47m
Top country
United Arab Emirates −10.6% YoY
7.03m

How much airline capacity does the Middle East have in 2026?

Capacity across the Middle East remains below last year's levels, by 8.5% in Nov 26, to 34m seats.

International capacity, which represents 89.7% of the market, reduced by 6.8% vs Nov 25 to 30.5m seats, 2.2m fewer seats.

Domestic capacity represents 10.3% of the market and contracted by 20.9% vs Nov 25.

Domestic & international · seats (millions)

Monthly scheduled capacity: November 2025 vs November 2026

Domestic 2026 Domestic 2025 International 2026 International 2025
Source: OAG · November 2026 scheduled capacity

Are low cost carriers growing in the Middle East?

Low Cost Carriers represent 27% of the market and reduced capacity by 8.1% vs last year.

Mainline carriers account for the remaining 73% of the capacity in the market and contracted by 8.7% vs last year to 24.7m seats.

Market share & year-on-year change

Mainline vs low-cost

Source: OAG · November 2026 scheduled capacity

Which Middle Eastern country has the most airline seats?

United Arab Emirates is the largest market, with 7m, and Saudi Arabia is second largest with 6.3m seats in Nov 26.

Capacity contracted in Saudi Arabia by 12.7% vs Nov 25 (919,600 fewer seats) and United Arab Emirates by 10.6% (829,900 fewer seats). Escalating missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels have severely disrupted Saudi Arabia's security and travel, leading to widespread flight cancellations and airport restrictions.

Within the Top 10 countries, capacity grew at the fastest rate in Israel by 9.1% to 1m seats. Followed by Lebanon, increasing by 6.6% to 363,000 seats in Nov 26.

Capacity contracted by a further 39.1% in Iran (472,700 fewer seats) and 21.8% in Kuwait (191,900 fewer seats) vs Nov 25.

Departing seats · November 2026

Top 10 countries by seat capacity

UAE
7.0m
−10.6%
Saudi Arabia
6.3m
−12.7%
Qatar
2.5m
−7.4%
Israel
1.0m
+9.1%
Oman
0.7m
−4.8%
Iran
0.7m
−39.1%
Kuwait
0.7m
−21.8%
Jordan
0.6m
+5.2%
Bahrain
0.5m
−2.8%
Lebanon
0.4m
+6.6%
Positive YoYNegative YoYCell size = seats
Source: OAG · November 2026 scheduled capacity
November 2026 country capacity summary: Three countries in the Middle East top 10 grew capacity: Israel (+9.1% to 1.05m seats, the fastest growth), Lebanon (+6.6% to 0.36m seats), and Jordan (+5.2% to 0.59m seats). The largest declines were in Iran (−39.1%, 472,700 fewer seats), Kuwait (−21.8%, 191,900 fewer seats), Saudi Arabia (−12.7%, 919,600 fewer seats), UAE (−10.6%, 829,900 fewer seats), and Qatar (−7.4%, 202,400 fewer seats). The UAE is the largest market with 7.0m seats, ahead of Saudi Arabia with 6.3m seats (−12.7%).

Top country gains in November 2026: Three countries in the top 10 grew capacity. Israel grew fastest at +9.1% (+87,534 seats) to 1.05m seats. Lebanon grew 6.6% (+22,358 seats) to 0.36m seats, and Jordan grew 5.2% (+29,047 seats) to 0.59m seats.

Top country losses in November 2026: Iran saw the sharpest percentage decline, down 39.1% (472,701 fewer seats), followed by Kuwait, down 21.8% (191,922 fewer seats). Saudi Arabia fell 12.7% (919,615 fewer seats) to 6.33m seats, while the UAE, still the largest market at 7.03m seats, fell 10.6% (829,915 fewer seats). Qatar declined 7.4%, Oman 4.8% and Bahrain 2.8%.

Which is the biggest airline in the Middle East?

Emirates remains the largest airline in the region, with the network carrier handling 3.1m seats, despite a reduction of 7% vs November 25.

Qatar Airways is the second largest airline with 2.5m, despite a reduction of 5% in capacity vs November 25.

Saudi Arabian Airlines reduced capacity by 35%, over 1 million seats vs Nov 25. Flydubai and FLYNAS also reduced capacity by 26% and 23% respectively.

Within the Top 10 carriers in the Middle East, Royal Jordanian, Flyadeal and Etihad Airways increased capacity at the fastest rate, by 32%,12% and 8% respectively vs last year.

Departing seats · November 2026

Seat capacity by airline

Source: OAG · November 2026 scheduled capacity

Amongst the Top 10 carriers in the Middle East, Royal Jordanian, flyadeal and Etihad Airways recorded the strongest capacity growth this month, increasing by 31.6%, 12.2% and 8.4% respectively vs last year. Gulf Air also grew at +2.6%; these were the only four carriers in the top 10 to add capacity. Emirates remains the largest carrier with 3.05m seats despite a reduction of 6.7%, followed by Qatar Airways (2.52m, −4.7%). Saudi Arabian Airlines (1.92m, −34.7%, over 1 million fewer seats) remains third but now sits well behind the top two, while Flydubai (−26.2%) and FLYNAS (−23.5%) also recorded sharp declines.

Top 10 Middle East airlines by seats — November 2026

No Airline Seats (Nov 2026) YoY
1.Emirates3.05m−6.7%
2.Qatar Airways2.52m−4.7%
3.Saudi Arabian Airlines1.92m−34.7%
4.Etihad Airways1.41m+8.4%
5.flyadeal1.14m+12.2%
6.FLYNAS1.06m−23.5%
7.Flydubai0.97m−26.2%
8.Air Arabia0.80m−10.0%
9.Gulf Air0.55m+2.6%
10.Royal Jordanian0.50m+31.6%

What is the busiest airport in the Middle East?

Dubai (DXB) remains the region's largest airport, handling 4.5m seats. This represents a reduction of 15.6%, 826,100 fewer seats than in Nov 25.

Madinah (Saudi Arabia) grew at the fastest rate in Nov 26, by 23.6% to 690k seats (132,000 additional seats). Despite recent disruptions to travel in Saudi Arabia, the city continues to pursue religious and cultural tourism plus massive infrastructure and real estate developments in line with Vision 2030.

Capacity also increased in Zayed (Abu Dhabi) by 124k seats, Tel Aviv by 77k seats and Damman by 49k seats.

Reflecting the recent attacks, Riyadh reduced at the fastest rate, a 36.7% reduction in capacity vs November 25 (823,000 fewer seats). Followed by Kuwait, where capacity reduced by 21.8% (191,900 fewer seats).

No Code Airport Seats YoY
1.DXBDubai International4.47m−15.6%
2.JEDJeddah2.56m−5.1%
3.DOHDoha2.53m−7.4%
4.AUHZayed International1.69m+7.9%
5.RUHRiyadh King Khalid Intl1.42m−36.7%
6.TLVTel Aviv-yafo Ben Gurion International1.00m+8.4%
7.SHJSharjah0.78m−9.2%
8.DMMDammam0.73m+7.2%
9.MEDMadinah0.69m+23.6%
10.KWIKuwait0.69m−21.8%
YoY change vs seats
Airport capacity and year-on-year growth
0.69m → 4.47m seats + YoY − YoY

Source: OAG · hover chart or click a table row to cross-highlight

Four airports in the top 10 grew capacity in November 2026: Madinah (+23.6% to 0.69m seats, 131,955 additional seats), Tel Aviv (+8.4% to 1.00m seats, 76,936 additional seats), Abu Dhabi's Zayed International (+7.9% to 1.69m seats, 123,964 additional seats) and Dammam (+7.2% to 0.73m seats, 49,059 additional seats). Dubai remains the largest airport at 4.47m seats despite a 15.6% decline (826,063 fewer seats).

Riyadh reduced at the fastest rate, down 36.7% vs November 2025 (822,986 fewer seats), followed by Kuwait, down 21.8% (191,922 fewer seats). Jeddah (2.56m, −5.1%) is now the second busiest airport, narrowly ahead of Doha (2.53m, −7.4%).

Middle East aviation: frequently asked questions

Emirates is the largest airline in the Middle East in November 2026 with 3.05 million seats, a decrease of 6.7% vs November 2025. Qatar Airways is second with 2.52 million seats (−4.7%) and Saudi Arabian Airlines third with 1.92 million (−34.7%). Royal Jordanian is the fastest-growing carrier in the top 10 at +31.6% to 0.50 million seats, followed by flyadeal at +12.2% and Etihad Airways at +8.4%. Source: OAG scheduled capacity data, November 2026.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiest airport in the Middle East in November 2026 with 4.47 million seats, down 15.6% vs November 2025. Jeddah is second with 2.56 million seats (−5.1%) and Doha third with 2.53 million (−7.4%). Madinah grew 23.6% to 0.69 million seats, Tel Aviv grew 8.4% to 1.00 million, Abu Dhabi grew 7.9% to 1.69 million and Dammam grew 7.2% to 0.73 million. Riyadh declined most sharply at −36.7% to 1.42 million seats. Source: OAG scheduled capacity data, November 2026.
The United Arab Emirates is the largest capacity market in the Middle East in November 2026 with 7.03 million seats, down 10.6% vs November 2025. Saudi Arabia is second with 6.33 million seats (−12.7%). Three countries grew capacity: Israel (+9.1% to 1.05 million seats), Lebanon (+6.6% to 0.36 million seats), and Jordan (+5.2% to 0.59 million seats). Iran declined most sharply at −39.1%. Source: OAG scheduled capacity data, November 2026.
Total Middle East seat capacity in November 2026 is 34.0 million seats, down 8.5% vs November 2025. International capacity accounts for 89.7% of the total at 30.5 million seats (−6.8%), with domestic at 3.50 million seats (−20.9%). Low cost carriers hold 27% of the market with 9.29 million seats (−8.1%), while mainline carriers account for 73% at 24.73 million seats (−8.7%). Source: OAG scheduled capacity data, November 2026.
Royal Jordanian is the fastest-growing carrier in the top 10 Middle East airlines in November 2026, up 31.6% to 0.50 million seats. flyadeal grew +12.2% to 1.14 million seats, Etihad Airways grew +8.4% to 1.41 million seats, and Gulf Air grew +2.6% to 0.55 million seats. These four were the only carriers in the top 10 to record capacity growth. Source: OAG scheduled capacity data, November 2026.

Data is sourced from OAG's Schedules Analyser.

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