Iata applauds Mena for airport upgrades

The Middle East and Northern Africa has shown foresight in developing world-leading airport infrastructure, the chief executive of the International Air Transport Association said. He also urged governments in Mena to maximise the economic and social benefits of aviation. “Aviation currently supports 2.4 million jobs and $130 billion in economic activity across the Mena region,” said Alexandre de Juniac, speaking at the Arab Air Carriers’ Organisation annual meeting in Cairo. “That represents 3.3 per cent of all employment and 4.4 per cent of all GDP in the region. Over the next 20 years we expect passenger numbers to grow by 4.3 per cent annually.”