The following countries are commonly considered part of the Middle East:

1. Bahrain
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. Iraq
5. Israel
6. Jordan
7. Kuwait
8. Lebanon
9. Oman
10. Palestine
11. Qatar
12. Saudi Arabia
13. Syria
14. Turkey
15. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
16. Yemen

Egypt, while primarily in North Africa, is also included due to its strong cultural and historical connections to the Middle East.

Top Players

Top 10 air cargo airlines in the region:

1. Emirates SkyCargo • Hub: Dubai International Airport (DXB) • Base Country: United Arab Emirates • Specialty: Wide network, diverse cargo including perishables, pharmaceuticals and high-value goods.
2. Qatar Airways Cargo • Hub: Hamad International Airport (DOH) • Base Country: Qatar • Fleet Size: 28 dedicated freighters • Specialty: Strong network in Europe, Asia and Americas specialised solutions for pharmaceuticals and perishables.
3. Etihad Cargo • Hub: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) • Base Country: United Arab Emirates • Fleet Size: Five freighters, along with belly-hold capacity in passenger aircraft • Specialty: Focus on pharmaceuticals, electronics and fashion.
4. Saudia Cargo • Hub: King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) • Base Country: Saudi Arabia • Fleet Size: Around seven freighters, significant belly-hold capacity • Specialty: Strong presence in Europe, Africa, and Asia, diverse cargo services.
5. Turkish Cargo • Hub: Istanbul Airport (IST) • Base Country: Turkey • Fleet Size: Over 20 freighters, extensive belly-hold capacity • Specialty: Extensive global network, special cargo handling, including livestock and pharmaceuticals.
6. El Al Cargo • Hub: Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) • Base Country: Israel • Fleet Size: Primarily belly-hold in passenger aircraft • Specialty: Security-sensitive cargo, strong connections to Europe and North America.
7. EgyptAir Cargo • Hub: Cairo International Airport (CAI) • Base Country: Egypt • Fleet Size: Several dedicated freighters • Specialty: Strong connections within Africa, Europe and the Middle East; diverse cargo types.
8. Iran Air Cargo • Hub: Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) • Base Country: Iran • Fleet Size: Limited number of freighters, significant belly-hold capacity • Specialty: Regional cargo, diverse commodities.
9. Kuwait Airways Cargo • Hub: Kuwait International Airport (KWI) • Base Country: Kuwait • Fleet Size: Primarily belly-hold in passenger aircraft • Specialty: Regional cargo services, growing network. 10. Oman Air Cargo • Hub: Muscat International Airport (MCT) • Base Country: Oman • Fleet Size: Limited number of dedicated freighters, significant belly-hold capacity • Specialty: Regional and international cargo, specialised handling services.

Population numbers

The estimated populations for Middle Eastern countries as of 2023:

1. Bahrain: 1,783,000
2. Egypt: 109,300,000
3. Iran: 87,420,000
4. Iraq: 43,270,000
5. Israel: 9,700,000
6. Jordan: 11,200,000
7. Kuwait: 4,391,000
8. Lebanon: 5,482,000
9. Oman: 4,603,000
10. Palestine: 5,270,000
11. Qatar: 2,938,000
12. Saudi Arabia: 35,870,000
13. Syria: 21,920,000
14. Turkey: 85,710,000
15. United Arab Emirates (UAE): 9,972,000
16. Yemen: 33,970,000

Estimated regional population in 2023: 472,799,000

Regional history

The dawn of aviation in the Middle East began in 1909, six years after the Wright brothers’ famous flight on the coast of North Carolina. In a cold and blustery December of that year, Belgian Baron Pierre de Caters and the world-renowned Frenchman Louis Blériot piloted the first heavier-than-air flying machines over Istanbul — then commonly known in Europe as Constantinople — the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which encompassed much of the Middle East at the time.

Early developments

• 1932: EgyptAir is founded, one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, and begins operations with cargo services as part of its offerings. Post-World War II expansion
• 1945: Middle East Airlines (MEA) is established in Lebanon, contributing to regional airfreight services.
• 1947: The founding of Gulf Air, originally a private company owned by a Bahraini entrepreneur, significantly impacts air transport in the Gulf region. Modernisation and growth
• 1985: The establishment of Emirates in Dubai, which rapidly grows to become one of the world’s leading air cargo carriers.
• 1993: Qatar Airways is founded, with Qatar Airways Cargo becoming a major player in global airfreight. Technological advancements and network expansion
• 2003: The introduction of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 by Emirates SkyCargo enhances capacity and efficiency for airfreight services.
• 2004: Etihad Airways is founded, with Etihad Cargo quickly developing into a significant airfreight carrier in the region. 21st Century developments
• 2010: Qatar Airways Cargo introduces its first dedicated freighter aircraft, enhancing its cargo capabilities.
• 2014: Saudia Cargo expands its fleet with the addition of Boeing 747-8F and Boeing 777F freighters, boosting its cargo capacity. Recent innovations and challenges
• 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic prompts Middle Eastern carriers to adapt by increasing cargo operations due to the drop in passenger flights. Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo and Etihad Cargo play crucial roles in transporting medical supplies and vaccines globally.
• 2021: The Abraham Accords open up new opportunities for airfreight between Israel and several Arab countries, including the UAE and Bahrain, fostering greater regional trade connectivity. These dates reflect key milestones that have helped shape the airfreight industry in the Middle East, highlighting the region’s strategic importance in global logistics and trade.

Top cargo airports

Some of the top cargo airports in the Middle East along with their approximate annual cargo tonnages:

1. Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 2.5 million tonnes • Key Features: Major hub for Emirates SkyCargo, extensive global network.
2. Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 2.1 million tonnes • Key Features: Hub for Qatar Airways Cargo, state-of-the-art facilities.
3. Bahrain Airport • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 350,000 tonnes • Key Features: Express Cargo Village. 4. King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Saudi Arabia • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 600,000 tonnes • Key Features: Major cargo gateway for Saudia Cargo, strategic location.
4. King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Saudi Arabia • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 450,000 tonnes • Key Features: Key cargo hub in the Saudi capital, supports domestic and international freight.
5. Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), UAE • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 400,000 tonnes • Key Features: Significant cargo operations, strategic location for regional freight.
6. Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 1.4 million tonnes • Key Features: Major hub for Turkish Cargo, extensive global reach.
7. Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Kuwait • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 250,000 tonnes • Key Features: Growing cargo operations, strategic position in the Gulf region.
8. Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), Lebanon • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Approximately 150,000 tonnes o Key Features: Key cargo gateway for Lebanon, supports regional trade.
9. Muscat International Airport (MCT), Oman • Annual Cargo Tonnage: Around 200,000 tonnes o Key Features: Hub for Oman Air Cargo, modern cargo facilities. These tonnages are estimates based on the latest available data and may vary slightly year to year.

Future proof

Several planned and upcoming airports in the Middle East aim to bolster the region’s position as a global aviation hub. Here are some notable projects:

1. King Salman International Airport (Riyadh) o Key Features: Planned to be one of the world’s largest airports, serving as a new hub for Riyadh. o Capacity: Expected to handle up to 185 million passengers annually by 2050. • Completion: Initial phases by 2030.
2. Neom Bay Airport • Location: Neom • Key Features: Part of the Neom mega-city project, focusing on futuristic technologies and sustainability. • Capacity: Designed to handle significant cargo volumes. • Completion: First phase operational, full completion expected in the 2030s.
3. Red Sea International Airport • Location: Red Sea Project o Key Features: Serves the luxury tourism project along the Red Sea coast. • Completion: Expected to be fully operational by 2030.
4. Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central – DWC) • Location: Dubai o Key Features: Planned to be the largest airport in the world when fully completed. • Capacity: Ultimately handling over 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. • Completion: Ongoing phased expansion, with major milestones expected around 2030.
5. Hamad International Airport Expansion • Location: Doha • Key Features: Major expansion to increase capacity and enhance facilities. • Completion: Expected by 2025. Oman 6. Muscat International Airport Expansion o Location: Muscat • Key Features: Continued expansion to increase capacity and modernise facilities. • Completion: Various phases, with significant improvements by 2030.
6. Kuwait International Airport (New Terminal 2) • Location: Kuwait City • Key Features: New terminal to enhance capacity. • Completion: Expected by 2025.
7. Bahrain International Airport Expansion • Location: Manama • Key Features: Expanding and enhancing cargo facilities. • Completion: Ongoing, with major projects expected by 2025.
8. Baghdad International Airport Expansion • Location: Baghdad • Key Features: Modernisation and expansion to improve infrastructure. • Capacity: Increasing cargo capacity significantly. • Completion: Various phases, with key improvements by 2030.
9. Istanbul New Airport (Expansion Phases) • Location: Istanbul • Key Features: Continued expansion to become one of the largest airports globally. • Completion: Phased development, with major milestones by 2030.

These projects reflect the Middle East’s strategic efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure, supporting cargo traffic and reinforcing its status as a global aviation hub.