The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the air transport industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to focus on key challenges of growth, including safety, cost control, liberalization and the environment. Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO, made the comments in a keynote address to the region’s leaders at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organization in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“The Middle East is an oasis of some good news for this industry. This is the only region that is growing. Over the first eight months of the year passenger demand expanded by eight per cent, outstripped by a capacity increase of 13 per cent. But growth has not yet translated into profitability. Growth without profit is not sustainable,” said Bisignani.