Opportunity to understand MENA region's growing role in aviation with RAeS in Dubai

A lecture on "Airlines challenges in the Middle East : Positioning for future growth", will be hosted by the Royal Aeronautical Society - UAE (RAeS) at the Emirates Aviation College (opposite Dubai Tennis Stadium) next Tuesday (Feb 22) at 17:30.

The lecture forms part of RAeS's professional development programme and is open, free of charge,to everyone involved in aviation in the UAE.

The guest speaker is Dr. Majdi A. Sabri, IATA’s Regional Vice President, Middle East & North Africa and he will be outlining whu the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is the most dynamic aviation sector in the world.

International passenger traffic share grew from 5% in 2001 to 11.5% in 2010. This was a result of a decade of boundless optimism with 10-18% average growth and heavy investment in aircraft and infrastructure generating 460,000 jobs and US$17.5 billion in economic activity. The sector was supported with world class airlines, top-notch hubs and extensive networks and unique strategic location. The aviation industry is facing formidable challenges in safety, infrastructure, restrictive regulatory framework, increased cost, government taxation and user charges and environmental pressures.
Dr Sabri will look at the region performance so far, identify major challenges and suggest a way forward. Dr. Sabri’s responsibilities include defining IATA’s members’ priorities and needs, implementing IATA policies and promoting its services, working with airline presidents and directors of civil aviation in the region.

He is also in charge of Industry Distribution and Financial Services in the Middle East & Africa.

Prior to joining IATA in July 2001, he worked in Royal Jordanian airlines (RJ) for seventeen years, on a career path which supported an increased level of responsibility in the areas of Planning and Marketing & Sales. He holds a Ph.D. in Transportation (Airline Economics and Planning) from University of Westminster, a MSC in Transportation and Traffic Planning, from University of Birmingham, and is a Fellow of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Transport.