GCC’s Improved Air Connectivity Reflects Region’s Strategic Importance, Economic Vitality

Air passenger connectivity offered by airports in the Middle East, Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region in particular, posted an impressive 28% increase year-on-year in 2024, surpassing all post-Covid recovery forecasts.

This, according to Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), has been driven by strong international demand, robust network recovery, and the return of major travel corridors.

Analysts say improved air connectivity is a reflection of the Middle East region’s strategic importance, economic vitality, and appeal to airlines and passengers. Since improved air connectivity facilitates trade, tourism, business travel, and global integration — these are integral to regional economic growth.

The ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Air Connectivity Ranking is a comprehensive, passenger-centric analytical tool developed in collaboration with PwC in 2023 and refined for its third edition in 2025. The ranking evaluates the overall level of air passenger connectivity offered by airports across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions.

It assesses performance through three fundamental building blocks: network scale and frequency, economic weight of destinations, and connection quality and efficiency.

According to Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region witnessed a remarkable 13% jump in overall connectivity compared to 2023, while the Middle East posted an impressive 28% increase, surpassing all post-pandemic recovery forecasts.

On average, connectivity across all airports rose in both Asia-Pacific and the Middle East by +14%, a strong testament to the resilience and dynamism of the aviation sector.

In Asia-Pacific, intra-regional connections are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, trailing by just 0.2%. At the same time, intercontinental connectivity is on the rise, showing a solid 4% increase.

The Middle East, however, isn't just recovering – it's setting a new pace. Both intra-regional and inter-continent connectivity have not only bounced back but have exceeded pre-pandemic levels by a significant margin of 18% and 16%, respectively.

Commenting on the report, Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, said: “Air connectivity is not only relevant for passengers seeking more travel options and convenience; it is equally crucial for supporting global trade and economic resilience, particularly through belly hold cargo capacity.”

“While we celebrate this growth, we must remain forward-looking to ensure the momentum is sustained. Investment in airport infrastructure and technological upgrades is a prerequisite for enhancing connectivity, and airports across the region are undertaking significant investments to make this possible. In the face of growing geopolitical and trade tensions, we urge governments to prioritise air service liberalisation, streamlined visa policies, and transparent slot allocation frameworks. Lastly, we must not lose sight of the needs of small island and remote communities-- air connectivity remains their lifeline,” Baronci added.

Rise of Airport City Clusters: The 2025 edition introduces a fresh dimension: An analysis of airport city clusters. Larger urban agglomerations like Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Macau, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing dominate the new City Connectivity Index, demonstrating that the presence of multiple large airports enables higher flight frequencies and diversified routing options.

Clusters such as Beijing and Shenzhen–Hong Kong-Macau have seen a substantial enhancement of connectivity through effective use of secondary airports. Seoul, Bangkok, and Taipei lead in per capita accessibility, offering exceptional connectivity relative to population size.

Analysts see improved air connectivity in the GCC region reflecting a deliberate strategy by Gulf countries to position themselves as global aviation and economic hubs.

Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Jeddah have all undergone massive expansions.

These GCC airports now serve as mega-hubs for international travel, offering seamless connections between the East and the West.

Airports in the GCC now act as a midpoint hub for connecting passengers between continents. Improved transit facilities and airline alliances enhance the region’s attractiveness to global travellers.

In the last two decades or so, GCC countries have either opened or increased frequencies on high-demand long-haul routes (e.g., to Europe, Asia, and North America). Enhanced intra-GCC connectivity also improves movement between Gulf States for business and tourism.

Enhanced connectivity supports not just passenger travel but also air freight and cargo, making the GCC a logistics powerhouse. Doha and Dubai are cases in point.

Improved air connectivity in the GCC denotes the transformation of the region into a critical global aviation and economic hub, driving diversification beyond oil and increasing regional and international influence.

 It clearly reflects a broader strategic vision that combines infrastructure development, airline growth, and geopolitical positioning.