The Middle East remains a promising market for business aviation, thanks to an expected average annual GDP growth of 3.8 percent over the next 20 years, according to charter firm KlasJet. In fact, data from the Middle East Business Aviation Association projects that the business jet fleet in the region will nearly triple to 1,375 aircraft by 2020 from about 500 today.

In addition, business aircraft flying hours across the region this year are up by more than 12 percent year-over-year, KlasJet noted. “The rise in demand for private travel and related services in the Middle East is what we’ve been witnessing for some time now,” said KlasJet CEO Vitalij Kapitonov

The primary use for business aviation in the region has also shifted. Ten years ago it was just a tool for royal families and presidents; since then, the market has seen a major shift to corporate use, greatly expanding the potential customer pool.

While there are many positive indicators, KlasJet identified several obstacles limiting the potential expansion of business aviation operations in the Middle East: political shocks; lack of skilled pilots, flight planners, maintenance technicians and air traffic controllers; and congested airspace.