Suddenly Middle East aviation is becalmed; Africa too is stalling - again

CAPA's Middle East-Africa Summit to be held in Dubai on 27/28- Apr-2019 comes at a very interesting time in the evolution of the Middle East and African markets.

After years of rapid growth, the big three Gulf carriers, each with their different issues, are undergoing a significant transition. At the same time Saudi Arabia's long-dormant industry has been revitalised and is starting to show the promise of which the largest market in the region is capable.

But in Africa, with one or two notable exceptions, it appears to be business as usual: lots of aspiration but little forward movement. The reasons are legion; many are present in markets globally, but nowhere else in the world is the intensity of such a wide range of barriers to growth so apparent.