Middle East aviation market briefing
Monthly Middle Eastern airline data updates
August 2026
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How much airline capacity does the Middle East have in 2026?
Monthly scheduled capacity: August 2025 vs August 2026
Are low cost carriers growing in the Middle East?
Low Cost Carriers represent 28% of the market and reduced capacity by 2.3% vs last year.
Mainline carriers account for the remaining 72% of the capacity in the market and contracted by 6% vs last year to 27.4m seats.
Mainline vs low-cost
Which Middle Eastern country has the most airline seats?
Saudi Arabia is the largest market, with 7.9m seats this month, an increase of 4.1% in capacity vs last year.
Capacity in United Arab Emirates is lower by 10.9% vs Aug 25 (879,500 fewer seats).
Within the Top 10 countries, capacity grew at the fastest rate in Israel, increasing by 18.5% to 1.5m seats in August 26.
Capacity contracted by a further 24.1% in Iran (285,700 fewer seats) and 27.5% in Kuwait (289,800 fewer seats) vs August 25.
Top 10 countries by seat capacity
Top country gains in August 2026: Two countries in the top 10 grew capacity. Saudi Arabia, the largest market, grew 4.1% (+306,270 seats) to 7.86m seats. Israel grew most strongly at +18.5% (+234,242 seats) to 1.50m seats. Jordan was broadly flat at −0.0%.
Top country losses in August 2026: Kuwait saw the sharpest percentage decline, down 27.5% (289,798 fewer seats). Iran fell 24.1% (285,744 fewer seats). UAE fell 10.9% (879,531 fewer seats), Bahrain fell 13.1%, Lebanon 11.2%, Qatar 8.3%, and Oman 4.5%.
Which is the biggest airline in the Middle East?
Emirates remains the largest airline in the region, with the network carrier handling 3m seats this month, a reduction of 11% vs August 25.
Saudi Arabian Airlines is a close second largest airline with 2.97m seats, despite a reduction of 5% in capacity
Within the Top 10 carriers in the Middle East, Royal Jordanian, flyadeal and Etihad Airways increased capacity at the fastest rates, by 13%, 10% and 9% respectively vs last year. As part of a long-term transformation strategy, Royal Jordanian is rebuilding its network, modernising its fleet, and attempting to reposition itself as a stronger connecting carrier between Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia.
Seat capacity by airline
Amongst the Top 10 carriers in the Middle East, Royal Jordanian, flyadeal and Etihad Airways recorded the strongest capacity growth this month, increasing by 13%, 10% and 9% respectively vs last year. Royal Jordanian is rebuilding its network as part of a long-term transformation strategy, modernising its fleet and repositioning as a stronger connecting hub between Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. FLYNAS also grew marginally at +2.5%. Emirates remains the largest carrier with 3.02m seats despite a reduction of 10.8%, and Flydubai fell most sharply at −15.3%.
Top 10 Middle East airlines by seats — August 2026
| No | Airline | Seats (Aug 2026) | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Emirates | 3.02m | −10.8% |
| 2. | Saudi Arabian Airlines | 2.97m | −5.1% |
| 3. | Qatar Airways | 2.68m | −5.3% |
| 4. | FLYNAS | 1.43m | +2.5% |
| 5. | Etihad Airways | 1.39m | +8.7% |
| 6. | flyadeal | 1.25m | +10.0% |
| 7. | Flydubai | 1.18m | −15.3% |
| 8. | Air Arabia | 0.92m | −7.8% |
| 9. | Gulf Air | 0.57m | −1.3% |
| 10. | Royal Jordanian | 0.53m | +13.5% |
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 15.2%, 817,400 fewer seats than in August 25.
Jeddah and Doha are a close second and third busiest airport with 2.69m and 2.66m seats respectively, a reduction in capacity of 1.5% and 8.3% vs last year.
Volume wise, Kuwait had the second largest reduction in capacity, with 289,800 fewer seats, a 27.5% reduction in capacity vs August 25.
Riyadh grew capacity by 6.1% vs last year to 2.56m seats in August 26.
| No | Code | Airport | Seats | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | DXB | Dubai International | 4.54m | −15.2% |
| 2. | JED | Jeddah | 2.69m | −1.5% |
| 3. | DOH | Doha | 2.66m | −8.3% |
| 4. | RUH | Riyadh | 2.56m | +6.1% |
| 5. | AUH | Zayed International | 1.68m | +0.3% |
| 6. | TLV | Tel Aviv Ben Gurion | 1.42m | +15.8% |
| 7. | SHJ | Sharjah | 0.88m | −3.9% |
| 8. | DMM | Dammam | 0.78m | −0.1% |
| 9. | KWI | Kuwait | 0.76m | −27.5% |
| 10. | MCT | Muscat | 0.76m | −5.9% |
Source: OAG · hover chart or click a table row to cross-highlight
Three airports in the top 10 grew capacity in August 2026: Riyadh (+6.1% to 2.56m seats), Abu Dhabi (+0.3% to 1.68m seats) and Tel Aviv (+15.8% to 1.42m seats). Dubai remains the largest airport at 4.54m seats despite a 15.2% decline (817,400 fewer seats).
Volume wise, Kuwait had the second largest reduction in capacity, with 289,800 fewer seats, a 27.5% reduction vs August 25. Jeddah and Doha also declined, by 1.5% and 8.3% respectively.
Middle East aviation: frequently asked questions
Data is sourced from OAG's Schedules Analyser.
Download this month's data
Capacity across the Middle East is 5% lower in August 26 vs last year, as a result of a drop in international capacity due to the ongoing geopolitial situation in the region.
International capacity, which represents 86.8% of the market, is 6.7% lower than Aug 25 and is down to 33.1.m seats, 2.4m fewer seats.
Domestic capacity represents 13.2% of the market and grew by 7.6% vs Aug 25.