The UAE will host the three day “Low Cost Airlines World MENA 2009 Conference” from October 12 to October 14 2009 in Al Ain.  The event is being sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).  Aviation industry specialists from the Middle East and around the world will meet and discuss new routes and ways of increasing revenues.  

Sharjah based Air Arabia was the first low cost carrier (LCC) to launch in the Middle East – in October 2003.  Jazeera Airways followed, then Sama Airlines, Nas Airlines, and flydubai in June of this year.  LCC’s in the MENA region have been benefiting from a large cost-conscious expatriate population, airport expansion plans, ideal geographic location and large amounts of available liquidity.  The International Air Transport Association projects a $4.7 billion loss for the global air transport industry, but MENA may be the only region to have a positive demand growth – of 1.2 per cent for 2009.