Mideast demand for jet fuel growing at double the global average

Dubai: Demand for jet fuel in the Gulf region is growing at six per cent per year, almost double the global average, according to energy firm BP. It says that three fast-growing airlines Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, based out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, are fuelling this growth.

According to BP officials, the estimated GCC demand for aviation jet fuel at present is about 3.9 billion US gallons [11.6 million tonnes]. The growth rates for the GCC will be about six per cent per annum over next few years.

Emirates and Qatar Airways, according to BP officials, are expanding their fleets on average by one plane each month, and are slated to take delivery of dozens over the coming years.

They also point out that demand for aviation fuel is expected to pick up particularly after 2010, when ongoing work on mega airport projects would be mostly complete.

The three Gulf bases of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha are being developed as aviation hubs and will serve passengers flying between Asia, Europe and North America.

Dubai is expanding its existing international airport with investments of $4.1 billion that will increase its passenger handling capacity from the current 30 million to 70 million per year before 2020.

Jebel Ali is investing $8.2-billion in a new international airport, that will eventually have a capacity to handle 120 million passengers. With the completion of the first phase in 2009, the airport will have a capacity to handle seven million passengers.

A $6.8-billion phased redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport will see it develop capacity to handle more than 40 million passengers per year. It currently handles seven million.

Qatar's $5.5-billion New Doha International Airport will open in 2009 with an annual passenger  capacity of 24 million, which will eventually grow to 50 million by 2015.