The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released a study documenting the economic contribution of aviation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during 2023. According to the study, aviation and related tourism activities generated $92 billion for the UAE, accounting for 18.2% of the nation's GDP. Furthermore, the sector supported around 992,000 jobs, including those related to the supply chain, employee spending, and tourism.
IATA's Director General Willie Walsh emphasized the sector's significant economic and cultural impact on the UAE. "The UAE is a critical hub for global connectivity. And the benefits of its super connector role bring trade, tourism, investment, and jobs to the UAE. The leadership of the UAE has a strategic vision for aviation, supported by smart regulation and investment in world-class infrastructure. Supporting nearly a million jobs and 18.2% of GDP, aviation makes an enormous contribution to the UAE’s prosperity—both culturally and economically. And we can be confident that this contribution will strengthen as the UAE continues to facilitate opportunities for aviation to thrive," Walsh stated.
The UAE is positioned to strengthen its leadership in the aviation sector by focusing on three key priorities: