“Considering the hundreds of billions being spent on airport infrastructure and aircraft in the region, governments would be well served to protect these investments by collaborating closely on air traffic management,” Griffiths said. “Any initiative that frees up airspace should receive high priority, as it would cut flight times, save fuel and emissions, boost trade and tourism, and drive economic growth."

CANSO considers airspace capacity to be a growing issue in the region; current constraints limit volume and force inefficient routings. Adding urgency to the situation is the fact that Middle Eastern countries plan to spend an estimated $200 billion on new aircraft in the next 15 years and some $100 billion in infrastructure to meet demand. 

Dubai Airports expansion projects include the world’s first dedicated A380 facility — due to open at the end of 2012 — and further growth of the new Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International.

“While we can manage runway projects at a local level, our airspace cannot be considered in isolation. We are involved at both national and regional levels on initiatives designed to open up air routes, reduce bottlenecks and unlock latent airspace capacity,” Griffiths said.