The Dubai Airshow kicked off in earnest on Monday, a day after Airbus, one of the world’s biggest plane manufacturers, forecast that the Middle East’s commercial aircraft fleet will nearly double over the next two decades.

What happened: In a press conference on Sunday, Airbus head of marketing for Africa and the Middle East Grainne van den Berg presented the manufacturer's latest global forecast. The report highlighted the Middle East as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation regions, with 4,080 new passenger aircraft deliveries predicted in the next 20 years. 

Airbus expects the region's in-service fleet to surge from 1,480 aircraft in 2024 to 3,700 by 2044. The company forecasts 4,080 new deliveries in the Middle East in the next 20 years, comprising 2,380 narrowbody and 1,700 widebody jets — accounting for 42% of the demand (more than double the world average) and the highest share globally.

Between 2024 and 2044, Airbus said global traffic growth is expected to grow 3.6% a year on average. Airbus said passenger traffic in the Middle East is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.4%, supported by robust economic development, tourism and trade. The region's population is projected to increase by 240 million over the same period, further amplifying demand for air travel.