Middle East Air Traffic Sees De-congestion

DUBAI, UAE, September 1, 2010 - According to the International Air Transport Association
(IATA), Middle Eastern airlines saw an increase in demand of passengers by
16.8 percent in July year-on-year, and by 19.4 percent over the first seven
months of the year. The Middle East has seen phenomenal growth of air traffic
due to increasing levels of traffic being diverted to this regional hub.

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This is causing significant pressure on the region's air
traffic control operations. With around 80% of Middle Eastern airspace being
restricted for military use, air corridors are becoming busier, and this is
putting pressure on regional authorities to increase the capacity and
efficiency of air traffic operations.

Despite warnings from IATA that this growth is unsustainable
and is now entering a slower phase, the region is already experiencing flight
and landing delays due to the amount of traffic. To cope with the growth,
regional airlines are increasing their fleets. Leading the way is Emirates
who already operate 12 Airbus A380 (world's largest airliner), and have 72 on
order, amongst other recent purchases. Airports are not far behind either,
with new projects such as Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport, which is
already operating flights, and Abu Dhabi's announced construction of a $7bn
international airport to help meet traffic demands in the Emirate. Air
traffic control operators and authorities are having to match this growth by
either increasing the capacity of the region's corridors, or the efficiency
of how they are used.

"New technology, such as satellite CNS, enables a lot of
Middle East countries to restructure their ATC units and their airspace" said
Ehab Abdel Galil, Air Traffic Controller at the National Air Navigation
Services Company (NANSC) in Egypt. "More collaboration between civilian and
military authorities to meet the growth of traffic in this region" is needed,
according to Ehab. Working together would enable an increased availability of
airspace to help relieve some of the traffic congestion in the Middle East.
"I think the whole region is moving forward on these issues, which will
impact the redesign of regional network airways," he added.

Ehab will join the Director-Generals of UAE's General Civil
Aviation Authority (GCAA), Saudi's Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the
Syrian Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), and Oman's Civil Aviation and
Meteorology Authority, to map out the best way forward in achieving this more
efficient re-design of regional airspace at the 2nd Annual Air Traffic
Control Optimisation Summit, to be held on 1 - 2 November 2010 at the
Trader's Hotel in Dubai, UAE.

Their success may well have a significant impact on the future
growth of air traffic in the Middle East and end constant delays.

The Air Traffic Control Optimisation Summit will explore how
the region's air traffic control authorities and operators are working
together with airlines and military establishments to increase the capacity
and efficiency of the region's air traffic corridors. In order to reserve
your place on the exclusive guest list email enquiry@ipc.ae. For more
information visit www.airtrafficcontrolsummit.com

About IQPC Middle East:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading
corporations solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical
industry solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has
built a formidable reputation for quality and value. During this time, the
Middle East's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's
unrivalled global reach, which has connected international expertise with
regional and local leaders. For more information, visit www.iqpc.ae

    For more information, please contact

    Chichi Osuagwu
    Marketing Manager
    IQPC Middle East
    T: +971-4-364-2975
    F: +971-4-363-1938
    enquiry@iqpc

For more information, please contact: Chichi Osuagwu, Marketing Manager, IQPC Middle East, T: +971-4-364-2975, F: +971-4-363-1938, enquiry at iqpc