Latest news with #FilipFilipov
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Latest OAG Report: High-Quality Data and AI Transformation Are Critical to Building Resilience Across Airline Operations
LONDON, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OAG, the global leader in aviation data and analytics, is proud to release its latest industry report in collaboration with Microsoft: "Can AI and the Right Data Rewrite the Rules of Airline Performance?". The report explores how trusted data is enabling AI to address critical operational challenges in aviation today. From minimizing delays and turnaround bottlenecks to forecasting maintenance needs and enhancing stakeholder decision-making, AI is already delivering tangible impact—but only when powered by accurate, complete, and well-structured data. Drawing on real-world case studies, robust research, and expert insight, the report illustrates how data readiness and AI transformation are ushering in a new era of operational resilience across the airline industry. A key highlight of the report is a comprehensive visual mapping of nine of the airline industry's most persistent operational challenges, structured along the end-to-end operational journey from pre-flight to post-flight. For each, the report showcases one real-world AI use case already delivering tangible results, offering airline leaders and innovators a clear path from problem to solution. Filip Filipov, OAG's Chief Operating Officer explained "AI is already transforming airline operations but to truly scale its impact, the industry must prioritize data readiness. Scalable transformation is only possible with intelligent, high-quality data at the core of every AI solution." The full report "Can AI and the Right Data Rewrite the Rules of Airline Performance?" is available to read now. About OAG OAG is a leading data platform for the global travel industry offering an industry-first single source for supply, demand, and pricing data. View source version on Contacts Media Enquiries: pressoffice@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Latest OAG Report: High-Quality Data and AI Transformation Are Critical to Building Resilience Across Airline Operations
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OAG, the global leader in aviation data and analytics, is proud to release its latest industry report in collaboration with Microsoft: " Can AI and the Right Data Rewrite the Rules of Airline Performance? '. From minimizing delays and turnaround bottlenecks to forecasting maintenance needs and enhancing stakeholder decision-making, AI is already delivering tangible impact—but only when powered by accurate, complete, and well-structured data. Share The report explores how trusted data is enabling AI to address critical operational challenges in aviation today. From minimizing delays and turnaround bottlenecks to forecasting maintenance needs and enhancing stakeholder decision-making, AI is already delivering tangible impact—but only when powered by accurate, complete, and well-structured data. Drawing on real-world case studies, robust research, and expert insight, the report illustrates how data readiness and AI transformation are ushering in a new era of operational resilience across the airline industry. A key highlight of the report is a comprehensive visual mapping of nine of the airline industry's most persistent operational challenges, structured along the end-to-end operational journey from pre-flight to post-flight. For each, the report showcases one real-world AI use case already delivering tangible results, offering airline leaders and innovators a clear path from problem to solution. Filip Filipov, OAG's Chief Operating Officer explained 'AI is already transforming airline operations but to truly scale its impact, the industry must prioritize data readiness. Scalable transformation is only possible with intelligent, high-quality data at the core of every AI solution.' The full report ' Can AI and the Right Data Rewrite the Rules of Airline Performance? ' is available to read now. About OAG OAG is a leading data platform for the global travel industry offering an industry-first single source for supply, demand, and pricing data.
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's flynas Middle East's fastest-growing airline from 2019-2024: report
RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flynas's capacity increased by 63 percent from 2019 to 2024, making it the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East region, according to an analysis. In its latest report, UK-headquartered global travel data provider OAG said that flynas was closely followed by the UAE's flydubai, which witnessed a capacity rise of 55 percent from 2019 to 2024. The analysis revealed that both carriers operated nearly 14.4 million departing seats each during the period, with flynas edging ahead by 25,000 travelers. The strong capacity growth of flynas aligns with Saudi Arabia's national goal to establish itself as a global tourist and business destination. The Kingdom aims to attract over 150 million visitors by the end of this decade. 'The Middle East region's strategic position as a global hub, coupled with the dynamic expansion of both low-cost and network carriers, is driving unprecedented opportunities. This vibrant market is setting the stage for future advancements in aviation technology and passenger experience,' said Filip Filipov, chief operating officer of OAG. Although flydubai and flynas' networks are similar, the latter benefits from a large domestic market within Saudi Arabia, allowing it to operate a more diverse route network, OAG added. In February, flynas announced that it expects to receive more than 100 Airbus aircraft over the next five years, part of its broader deal for 280 Airbus jets. The airline aims to operate over 160 aircraft by 2030, with its 280-plane order worth more than SR161 billion ($43 billion), making it the largest holder of single-aisle aircraft purchase orders in the Middle East. Commenting on the growth of flynas in recent years, Paolo Carlomagno, partner at Arthur D. Little, said that competitive pricing and top-notch quality have played a crucial role in the airlines' rising popularity among travelers. 'In the past five years, flynas has delivered stellar growth thanks to several factors — endogenous and exogenous. A well-planned and executed network strategy and efficient seat capacity increases, primarily driven by fleet expansion with the Airbus A320Neo, which offers lower operating costs,' said Carlomagno. He added: 'Flynas has also expertly managed the difficult trade-off between pricing and quality of service and delivered strong operational performance over the past five years.' The Arthur D. Little official added that the growth of flynas as a leading air carrier globally could help Saudi Arabia achieve its national tourism goals as outlined in the Vision 2030 initiative. He further highlighted that flynas has a significant opportunity to expand, as the market penetration of low-cost carriers in the Kingdom is comparatively low compared to other leading markets. 'LCC market penetration in Saudi Arabia is still significantly lower than some other major aviation markets such as South East Asia and so there is still enormous potential for them to grow further. The 'democratization' air travel trend and the connectivity with 'secondary' routes will continue to boost demand in the Kingdom,' said Carlomagno. Middle East aviation market's outlook In its latest report, OAG stated that the Middle East's aviation market has grown by 5 percent since 2019, making it the world's second-fastest-growing region after South Asia, which saw a 12 percent increase over the same period. The analysis further said that this increase was fueled by a robust combination of low-cost carrier growth and legacy carrier capacity. 'In recent years, the Middle East has established a leading position in developing new markets and connecting the region to the rest of the world with non-stop services to all continents and key cities,' said OAG. It added: 'The region has a highly competitive environment with best-in-class airlines operating in all segments, alongside ambitious plans for new aircraft and routes. This makes the Middle East a real hot spot in the aviation industry.' The report highlighted that the Middle East is the sixth-largest region in the world based on available capacity, with 270 million one-way seats in 2024, placing the area ahead of Eastern Europe and behind South Asia. According to OAG, airlines operating in the Middle East region witnessed an international travel capacity expansion of 8.9 percent by the end of 2024 compared to 2019, the second-strongest pandemic recovery, only next to South Asia, whose capacity grew by 11 percent during the same period. Affirming the growth of the aviation sector in the region, a recent report by the International Air Transport Association revealed that airlines operating in the Middle East witnessed a 3.3 percent increase in passenger demand growth in February compared to the same month in 2024. IATA added that the total capacity of Middle Eastern flights also rose by 1.3 percent year on year in February. In March, another report by Oliver Wyman also highlighted the growth of the aviation sector in the region. It underscored that the fleet of commercial airlines in the Middle East is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.1 percent from 2025 to 2035 to reach 2,557 aircraft. The consultant management firm added that this significant growth in the region is almost double the annual global growth rate, which is projected at 2.8 percent during the same period. According to the latest OAG report, low-cost carriers accounted for 29 percent of the capacity in the Middle East region in 2024, having more than doubled in the last decade from just 13 percent of capacity in 2014. Globally, low-cost carriers operated 34 percent of the capacity last year. Competition intensifies in Middle East market According to OAG, two Middle Eastern carriers have gained prominence worldwide. Emirates and Qatar Airways are the only regional airlines to feature in 2024's Top 20 Global Airlines for Capacity and the Top 10 Global Airlines by available seat kilometers — a measure of an airline's passenger carrying capacity. The report revealed that Emirates is now the 14th largest carrier globally by seat capacity and ranks 4th in terms of available seat kilometers. On the other hand, Qatar Airways has experienced dramatic growth over the last decade, as it developed Doha into a global connecting point and moved from being the 36th largest airline globally 10 years ago to the 19th in 2024. Regarding available seat kilometers, Qatar Airways also advanced from 17th in 2019 to the sixth largest globally in 2024. The capacity of Qatar Airways increased by 18 percent between 2019 and 2024. The capacity of Emirates dropped by 7 percent in 2024 compared to 2019, while Saudia's capacity declined by 11 percent during the same period. 'Competition across the region's leading airlines is increasing, with as much investment in product as network expansion,' said OAG. The study further stated that the Middle East market is likely to experience significant disruptions in the future as additional airline capacity is added through various airline business models and the creation of new airlines in the region. 'The launch of Riyadh Air is likely to be one of the most interesting disruptions in the Middle East market in the coming years, alongside the planned growth of rival Saudi airline Saudia and its move to a new base at Jeddah,' said OAG. It added: 'Although neither of these airlines is likely to challenge Emirates' traffic in the short term, they will create a new competitive landscape as Saudi carriers vie for both transfer traffic and inbound tourism.' According to OAG, the key feature of the aviation sector in the Middle East, and particularly the bigger markets of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, is the depth of network that they offer to travelers. The report added that non-stop flights from the region's major hub airports reach every continent, with only a handful of international markets remaining unserved directly. Markets in South America, including Lima and Santiago, fall just outside the operational reach of the Middle East region. OAG further said that Doha to Auckland is currently the longest non-stop route operated from the Middle East by Qatar Airways, followed by Emirates' Dubai to Auckland route. 'In time, with ever-increasing aircraft ranges, it is likely these destinations will provide new markets for the network carriers to increase their revenues further,' the report added. It concluded: 'For the traveler, a seemingly ever-expanding choice of destinations to reach, along with increased competition, is likely to result in airfares remaining competitive throughout the region.'
Arabian Business
28-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Low-cost carriers playing a big role in Middle East aviation growth
The Middle East aviation market has expanded significantly by 5 per cent since 2019, making it the second-fastest growing region globally behind only South Asia (12 per cent), but face challenges in the near future that could lead to more economic travel for customers. This was revealed in the latest analysis from OAG, a leading travel data provider, in its new report, 'Middle East Skies: A New Era of Competition, Capacity and Growth'. While the region's biggest airlines – Emirates Group, Qatar Airways and Saudia Group – continued their impressive performance and led the way, the growth over the past five years has been driven by increasing capacity of Low-Cost Carrier (LCC). Middle East's airline surge The report said Saudi Arabia's flynas is the fastest-growing airline in the region, having posted a 63 per cent capacity increase for 2024 compared to 2019. It was closely followed by Emirates-owned flydubai, which has grown 56 per cent during the period. Both carriers operated nearly 14.4 million departing seats each, with flynas edging ahead by 25,000 seats. LCCs now make up 29 per cent of all Middle East capacity, more than doubling from 13 per cent in 2014. Over the past decade, LCC capacity has grown at an 11.5 per cent annual average, far outpacing traditional carriers. Globally, LCCs operated 34 per cent of capacity in 2024. Both Emirates and Qatar Airways rank among the Top 20 Global Airlines by Capacity in 2024, and the Top 10 by Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs). Emirates Group, Saudia Group and Qatar Airways operated 127 million departing seats in between them in 2024. The report highlighted clear synergies between Emirates and flydubai and their short-haul and long-haul networks. The combined position in capacity terms of both airlines makes the Emirates Group as the largest, with over 50 million departing seats in 2024, and 23 per cent of market share of Middle East domiciled carriers. It said 84 per cent of Qatar Airways passengers are connecting traffic. This was followed by 77 per cent for Etihad and 66 per cent for Emirates. Filip Filipov, COO of OAG commented: 'The Middle East region's strategic position as a global hub, coupled with the dynamic expansion of both low-cost and network carriers, is driving unprecedented opportunities. This vibrant market is setting the stage for future advancements in aviation technology and passenger experience and at OAG, we are thrilled to support this evolution.' Among other interesting findings in the report… Emirates is now the 14th largest carrier globally by seat capacity and ranks fourth in terms of ASKs, trailing only the three major US mainline airlines. Qatar Airways has moved from 36th largest airline globally 10 years ago to 19th in 2024. In terms of ASKs, it has advanced from 17th to 6th largest globally. The Cairo–Riyadh (CAI–RUH) route remains one of the region's most competitive corridors with eight carriers in operation. The major domestic markets in the region are Saudi Arabia and Iran, which account for 94 per cent of all domestic seats. Despite smaller in terms of population, the Saudi Arabian domestic market is three times larger than Iran's. Compared to the five larger regional markets, the Middle East has reported the second strongest recovery in international capacity. Two regional markets, North-East and South-East Asia, were still below pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2024. In 2023, Emirates carried approximately 26 million departing passengers, delivering a profit of over US$104 per passenger (almost three times higher than estimated industry average for 2025), but Oman Air made a loss of US$83 per departing passenger during the same time period. The growth challenge With Riyadh Air expected to start operations later this year, OAG believes the Middle East market is likely to 'experience significant disruption as additional airline capacity is added through various airline business models and the creation of new airlines in the region'. 'Given the current global economic climate, potential slowdown of development, and the relative low price of oil – which underpins many investments in the region – it is likely that there will be excess air capacity in the next few years,' said the report. 'Align these factors with the high proportion of connecting passengers travelling through the region who typically prioritise price over brand loyalty, the larger airlines will need to compete on product and service differentiation to secure their share of the market.' In the low-cost sector, smaller legacy carriers are targets for competition and with lower cost base and a product more aligned to emergent markets, their long-term survival may be severely tested towards the end of the decade. A sharp increase in competition is expected in the region, which is good news for travellers. A seemingly ever-expanding choice of destinations to reach, along with increased competition, is likely to result in airfares remaining competitive throughout the region. OAG said that if increased competition leads to lower fares, and with operating costs unlikely to fall, airline profitability will be tested. Airlines with the largest network mass and lowest operating costs per ASK will thrive.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Middle East Aviation Market thrives as world's second-fastest growing region
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates-- (BUSINESS WIRE/AETOSWire)-- The latest analysis from leading travel data provider OAG's new report, 'Middle East Skies: A New Era of Competition, Capacity and Growth', reveals that the Middle East aviation market has expanded by 5% since 2019, making it the second-fastest growing region globally, behind only South Asia (12%). This growth is driven by a robust combination of Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) growth and Legacy Carrier capacity. Both Emirates and Qatar Airways rank among the 2024 Top 20 Global Airlines by Capacity and the Top 10 by Available Seat Kilometers. Emirates Group, Saudia Group and Qatar Airways are the top three carriers by group position. Between them these three operated 127 million departing seats in 2024. LCCs Reshape the Market But the standout story from this report belongs to flynas, which posted a 63% capacity increase for 2024 versus 2019 — making it the fastest-growing airline in the region. flydubai followed closely with 56% growth, as both carriers operated nearly 14.4 million departing seats each, with flynas edging ahead by 25,000 seats. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) now make up 29% of all Middle East capacity, more than doubling from 13% in 2014. Over the past decade, LCC capacity has grown at an 11.5% annual average, far outpacing traditional carriers. Key Trends Egypt dominates LCC routes in growing African market: 96% of flyadeal's African capacity is to Egypt 81% of flynas's African capacity is to Egypt 73% of Air Arabia's Middle East–Africa capacity goes to Egypt Full-service and legacy carriers in the region rely heavily on connecting traffic: 84% of Qatar Airways passengers 77% for Etihad 66% for Emirates Competitive Hotspots The Cairo–Riyadh (CAI–RUH) route remains one of the region's most competitive corridors with eight carriers in operation. Dubai-Riyadh (DXB-RUH) and Cairo-Jeddah (CAI-JED) are also on the top end of the scale for competition, while Dubai to Heathrow (DXB-LHR) is a more concentrated market with four airlines competing. Filip Filipov, COO of OAG commented: 'The Middle East region's strategic position as a global hub, coupled with the dynamic expansion of both low-cost and network carriers, is driving unprecedented opportunities. This vibrant market is setting the stage for future advancements in aviation technology and passenger experience and at OAG, we are thrilled to support this evolution.' About OAG OAG is a leading data platform for the global travel industry offering an industry-first single source for supply, demand, and pricing data.
