National carriers such as Emirates, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia have scheduled over 7.025 million seats for international flights departing in August, marking an increase from 6.5 million seats during the same period last year, representing an 8% growth.
These airlines accounted for 17.5% of the total seat capacity scheduled by carriers across the Middle East, which reached approximately 40.1 million seats, according to data from the international aviation data provider OAG.
Emirates continues to solidify its position as the largest airline in the Middle East, having scheduled over 3.37 million seats in August 2025, a growth of 3.6% compared to the same month in 2024.
This strong performance enhances the airline’s role as a key hub in regional and global air travel, leveraging its extensive network and Dubai’s strategic location as an international aviation center.
Flydubai has scheduled 1.37 million seats, reflecting an 8% increase compared to last year, while Etihad Airways has arranged 1.28 million seats, achieving a 17.1% growth. Air Arabia has planned for 991.6 thousand seats, an increase of 13% compared to the same timeframe last year.
Since the beginning of this year, national carriers have been expanding their destinations for travelers, fueled by a resurgence in travel demand and the UAE’s status as a preferred global hub for tourism and business. This expansion has enabled airlines to enhance their offerings and extend their global networks.
The achievements of UAE airlines are largely attributed to ongoing government support, which is manifested through a clear strategic vision set by Emirati leadership to bolster the country’s position as a global aviation hub. This assistance has been evident in the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airports, which provide significant operational capabilities and advanced facilities that meet the highest standards of efficiency and safety.