In total, air transport business in member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council has registered a three percent growth in 2000 compared to the previous year, according to the Saudi al-Watan Arabic newspaper, cited by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The revenues of the Saudi Arabian airlines (SAA), Kuwaiti, Qatari, Omani, Emirates and Gulf Airways totaled $5.9 billion in 2000, the newspaper said.
It added that the total number of passengers reached 51 million, an increase of 4 percent and total air cargo reached 2 million tons, an increase of 7 percent.
A study on the economies of air transport in the GCC countries, has pointed out that the revenue growth of air transport business in Saudi Arabia was 3 percent, in the UAE 4 percent, in Kuwait 3.5 percent, in Qatar 4.5 percent, in Bahrain 4 percent and in Oman 3.5 percent.
The study expects the passengers' movement in the GCC countries during the period 2000/2004 between the Middle East and Europe to grow by 6 percent, an increase of 9 percent over 1999. Asian travel showed an increase of 5.2 percent over 1999.
It said the range of investment is expected to be between $5 billion and $7.5 billion. It will include expansion of current airports and building of modern airports with a high capacity for passengers and goods.
It will include also upgrading navigation services and improving the ties between the various transport sectors, air, maritime and land – Albawaba.Com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
