Airlines

Middle East Hubs: The Rise of Low Cost and the Importance of the Indian Subcontinent

Dubai, has just barely beaten out Doha to have the highest level of recovery in September 2022

The largest of the three airports, Dubai, has just barely beaten out Doha to have the highest level of recovery in September 2022, operating at 86% of 2019 capacity levels with 3.9 million seats; Doha is at 85% of 2019 capacity with 1.9 million seats; and Abu Dhabi has recovered to 77% of its September 2019 capacity, with a much more modest 0.9 million seats.

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But when it comes to the number of places their networks serve, all three airports have either matched or surpassed their 2019 levels. Doha had 161 connections in September 2022 compared to 159 in September 2019, Dubai had 222 connections compared to 223, and Abu Dhabi had a rapid expansion of its destinations, going from 86 in September 2019 to 105 in September 2022.

Airport	Seats Operated Advertisement Sep 2019	Seats Operated Sep 2022	Capacity Growth vs 2019
DOH	2,290,585	1,939,834	-15%
DXB	4,561,890	3,905,803	-14%
AUH	1,147,989	881,015	-23%

When comparing low-cost carriers (LCCs) and mainline airlines, Doha has maintained its 95% mainline airline share as of September 2022, while Dubai has seen LCCs gain share, going from 17% to 25% as of that month, with notable increases from Flydubai (+27% vs. 2019 capacity) and IndiGo (+6%).

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India increased its seat capacity share from Dubai from 12% in 2019 to 15% in 2022 and has fully recovered to 2019 levels, while Pakistan has added 10% more capacity than in 2019 elsewhere in the region. The top 10 Indian airlines operating in Dubai have experienced high recovery rates compared to 2019 levels, with IndiGo at +6%, Air India +6%, Air India Express -2%, and SpiceJet -2%.

The Middle East is now a significant low-cost market in its own right, and the geographic focus of the airline networks from the three main airports is shifting eastward to take advantage of growing opportunities. This is due to the growth of LCCs and their acquisition of market share from legacy airlines, as well as the strength of the market to the Indian subcontinent.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

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“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

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This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.