The UAE has been praised as a “global role model” for aviation development by Kamil Al-Awadhi, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2025 in Dubai, Al-Awadhi highlighted the country’s rapid progress, high-quality infrastructure, and efficient operational standards within its aviation sector.

Al-Awadhi commended the UAE for its “outstanding achievements,” noting that its integrated and well-coordinated aviation ecosystem serves as a benchmark, even for developed nations. He emphasized the operation of the country’s airlines, airports, ground services, security, and safety protocols, all functioning at peak efficiency.

Al-Awadhi also praised the UAE’s streamlined visa processes and the exceptional passenger experience at its airports, noting that these factors reflect the nation’s strong commitment to quality and service.

He further highlighted the UAE’s leadership in developing Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF), a lower-emission alternative derived from conventional sources, which is still under study and development. “The UAE is a leader in the development of LCAF,” he said.

This aligns with the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) General Policy, which outlines a series of ambitious objectives aimed at accelerating the sector’s growth.

Key targets include increasing production capacity to 700 million liters annually by 2030, advancing SAF technologies by 2025, and promoting investment in both local and international production. The UAE also aims to establish a supportive regulatory framework and develop local expertise to drive economic growth.

Looking ahead, Al-Awadhi noted that IATA expects air traffic growth in the Gulf and Middle East to reach around 9% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 5.6%.

UAE airlines, he added, are set to surpass even these regional figures, driven by modern infrastructure and aggressive expansion strategies in both the passenger and cargo sectors.