Qatar’s aviation and tourism sectors are poised for remarkable growth driven by the expansion of Qatar Airways and the burgeoning demand for travel in the region by the year-end. Qatar Airways, with its expanding route network and strategic partnerships, plays a central role in this growth. As the airline continues to add new destinations and improve its services, it has solidified its place as a dominant player in the competitive Middle Eastern flight market.
The airline’s commitment to offering unparalleled service and connectivity has attracted millions of passengers, not only it has boosted the country’s aviation industry, but also elevated Qatar’s status on the global stage. According to a report by Statista, the flight market in Qatar is expected to reach a revenue of $727.64m (QR2.6bn), with an annual growth rate of 5.42 percent, by the end of 2025. The flight market in Qatar is projected to have more than 927,000 users, with a penetration rate increasing from 27.7 percent in 2025 to 32.7 percent by 2029.
Qatar’s aviation industry experienced a positive momentum in July 2025, with preliminary statistics revealed by Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) recently showing a healthy upward trend in aircraft movements, passenger traffic, and cargo volumes compared to the same month last year.
The QCAA report recorded 24,233 aircraft movements in July 2025, up from 24,179 in July 2024, which is a modest 0.2 percent increase. While the growth may seem slight, aviation experts say it reflects a stable operational environment despite global challenges.
The passenger numbers soared from 4.742 million in July 2024 to 4.811 million this year, a 1.4 percent increase.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector in Qatar continued its strong growth during the first half of 2025, welcoming more than 2.6 million international visitors between January and June, representing an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year.
The growth coincided with solid performance in the hospitality sector, with hotels recording an average occupancy rate of 71%, an increase of 2 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. A total of 5.23 million hotel nights were sold, marking a 7% rise from the first half of last year.
The tourism sector as a whole contributed QR55bn to Qatar’s GDP in 2024, accounting for an estimated 8% of the total economy, a 14% increase, compared to 2023. This demonstrates clear progress towards the Qatar’s Tourism Strategy 2030 target of raising the sector’s contribution to 10-12% of the GDP.
Qatar’s aviation sector is charting a course of steady and sustainable growth that signals a balanced, resilient market rather than a rapid expansion. Doha’s air hub is experiencing a phase of sustainable measures, driven by demand-led growth.
