Gulf carriers enter a new phase of growth, opposed by louder voices seeking to slow their expansion

The Middle East enters 2015 still on the high notes of 2014 that saw the delivery of Etihad's first 787 and A380, and Qatar's first A380 and the world's first A350. Both airlines are using their new aircraft to secure a stronger service positioning, expand their networks and realise the benefits from next-gen technology.