��������

RIYADH: The UAE’s civil aviation sector posted robust growth in the first half of 2025, with passenger traffic climbing 5 percent to 75.4 million, up from 71.7 million a year earlier, according to the Emirates News Agency or WAM.

January was the busiest month, handling more than 13.7 million travelers across the nation’s airports.

The surge in passenger and cargo activity reflects a broader global rebound in aviation, as Middle Eastern carriers leverage their strategic location to capture long-haul transit traffic between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Air traffic movements increased 6.2 percent to 531,000 operations in the first six months, compared to nearly 500,000 in the same period of 2024. Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, and Bahrain ranked among the top five most active routes.

Cargo volumes also strengthened, rising 4.74 percent to more than 2.2 million tonnes. National carriers handled 67 percent of total freight, underscoring the UAE’s dominance in regional logistics.

The expansion of UAE-based airlines — with 15 new destinations launched across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — further fueled the sector’s momentum.

Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri, minister of economy and chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the UAE is reinforcing its international and regional aviation standing through “record-breaking growth.”

“This growth stems from innovative national strategies that have elevated our competitiveness and leadership in a vital sector that now plays a central role in economic development, trade, tourism, investment, and job creation across aviation-linked industries,” Al-Marri said, reported WAM.

He added: “The performance indicators for the first half of 2025 demonstrate the sector’s resilience and sustainability, as well as the competitiveness of our airports, national carriers, and air traffic management. Aviation serves as a critical bridge connecting the UAE to the world and is a key enabler of our long-term economic goals.”

Al-Marri noted that the UAE would continue expanding its air connectivity through advanced legislation, open-market policies, and infrastructure development.

Saif Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the aviation sector is on a steady growth trajectory.

“These positive indicators reflect the sector’s strong infrastructure and the unified efforts of all partners, from airport operators and airlines to air traffic controllers,” Al-Suwaidi said.

He expressed pride in the consistent growth in passenger and cargo volumes, citing ambitious development projects aimed at supporting this expansion. The current combined capacity of the UAE’s airports now exceeds 160 million passengers annually.

Al-Suwaidi reaffirmed confidence in the sector’s ability to sustain its pivotal role in boosting the national economy, driving tourism and trade, and strengthening the UAE’s role as a key regional and global air transport hub.

The new routes include cities in Russia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, as well as Armenia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, among others. These additions complement the existing network, bolstering the country’s status as a global aviation hub.

RIYADH: Jordan’s domestic revenues climbed 3.6 percent in the first half of 2025 to 4.67 billion dinars ($6.59 billion), bolstered by fiscal measures aimed at strengthening public finances, official data show. 

The increase — equivalent to about 164.7 million dinars — came as the government reduced public debt to 35.3 billion dinars, or 90.9 percent of gross domestic product, down from 92.7 percent in May, the state-run Petra news agency reported, citing Central Bank of Jordan figures.  

The decline followed the Finance Ministry’s June repayment of $1 billion in maturing Eurobonds, funded through concessional loans secured earlier in the year at a 4.8 percent interest rate. The move allowed Amman to avoid issuing new debt at yields that could have approached 9 percent amid global and regional market pressures. 

According to a report in July, domestic revenues rose by about 224.1 million dinars in the first five months of the year, reaching 4.067 billion dinars, compared with 3.843 billion dinars in the same period of 2024. 

Tourism revenue for the first seven months of 2025 rose by 8.6 percent, totaling $4.398 billion. That growth occurred despite a 5.6 percent dip in tourism receipts in July, which fell to $721.4 million.  

Revenue from visitors of Asian nationalities surged by 41.1 percent, European visitors contributed a 33.8 percent increase, Americans accounted for a 21.7 percent rise, Arab visitors added 7.3 percent, and other nationalities posted a 38.0 percent increase.   

Meanwhile, revenue from Jordanian expatriate visitors declined by 2.5 percent.   

“The figures showed a 4 percent increase in spending by Jordanians on tourism abroad during the first seven months of 2025, reaching $1.247 billion,” stated the report.  

In July alone, that outbound tourism spending rose 7 percent, amounting to $247.4 million.  

Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision identifies tourism as a core pillar of national growth, with the sector positioned to drive inclusive economic development and job creation.   

The strategy aims to boost GDP growth to 5.6 percent and attract significant private investment, with 72 percent of the required 41 billion dinars expected from non-government sources.   

The National Tourism Strategy 2021-25 supports this vision by promoting sustainable, authentic tourism experiences and strengthening sector competitiveness.  

These initiatives form part of broader efforts to diversify revenue streams, enhance fiscal resilience, and position Jordan as a high-value destination for regional and international travelers.