The Middle East aviation industry is developing "unevenly" because of geopolitical instability and economic disparity between countries, as airlines grapple with airspace closures and sanctions, the regional boss of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) has said.
Kamil Alawadhi, Iata's vice president for Africa and the Middle East, pointed out that airlines in the region are grappling with airspace closures and sanctions.
Of the 67 countries in the Middle East and Africa that Iata works with, 21 are under some form of sanctions and 12 are conflict zones. That makes it difficult for airlines to operate and slows the progress of the regional aviation industry, Mr Alawadhi said.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on the sidelines of Iata's annual meeting, he pointed to “stark gaps” in capacity and investment between the Middle East's poorest and richest countries.
“Aviation in the Middle East is not developing evenly,” Mr Alawadhi said, pointing to conflicts that have closed airspace, disrupted operations and led to longer and costlier rerouting of flights. Countries under sanctions also face problems like blocked access to aircraft and parts which isolates their airlines.
Mr Alawadhi called on Middle East governments to take a “co-ordinated regional approach” to narrow the gap between the countries building world-class travel hubs and lower-income nations, such as Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, that have declining infrastructure, underfunded civil aviation authorities and outdated fleets.
Mr Alawadhi said the Middle East aviation industry's “no state left behind” approach can help unlock the region's full potential. He added that a number of Gulf countries' civil aviation agencies, over the past couple of months, have asked Iata and the UN aviation body, ICAO, to play a “pivotal role” in the development of the Syrian aviation industry.
It comes as the war-torn nation expects to become free from the shackles of debilitating US and EU sanctions, with an increasing number of regional airlines announcing plans to restore flights to Damascus.
Mr Alawadhi urged Middle East countries to create “pathways for a safe and structured return” for states, like Syria, into the regional aviation system. This means facilitating access to aircraft, financing, and international standards while prioritising safety.
Syrian aviation 'boom'
Asked about the potential growth of Syria's aviation market in the medium to long term, Mr Alawadhi told The National that “if everything went well, it would boom”. However, Syrians are still facing visa restrictions, which will limit growth if they are unable to fly out to visit other countries, he added.
Additionally, heavy investment is required to overhaul Syria's aviation infrastructure in terms of airports, ground handling, regulations and airline capacity, Mr Alawadhi said.
Airlines face $1.3bn in blocked funds
The outstanding ticket sales revenue owed by governments to airlines around the world has dropped to $1.3 billion, which is 25 per cent below the $1.7 billion reported in October 2024, according to the latest data by Iata.
The Africa and Middle East region accounted for 85 per cent of that, amounting to $1.1 billion as of end April 2025. Of the $1.1 billion, the bulk is held by governments in Africa.
Mr Alawadhi said Iata last year worked with Nigeria, where the blocked funds have been cleared, while its efforts with Ethiopia and Egypt led the owed amounts to “drop significantly”.
This year, date shows that Mozambique has climbed up to the top of blocked funds countries, withholding $205 million from airlines, compared with $127 million in October 2024.
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon collectively withheld $191 million from airlines, the date states. This was followed by Algeria ($178 million and Lebanon with $142 million.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have made “notable progress” in clearing their backlog to $83 million and $92 million, respectively, from $311 million and $196 million in October 2024. Bolivia made the most significant improvement, fully clearing its backlog that stood at $42 million at the end of October 2024.
Blocked funds are a contentious issue as the revenue is vital for airlines to cover dollar-denominated expenses and maintain their operations as they deal with thin profit margins. However, governments that are withholding these amounts are often struggling with a shortage of foreign currency reserves.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule
Friday
First practice, 1pm
Second practice, 5pm
Saturday
Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm
Sunday
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
