Mar. 3--Aviation experts, who convened in Abu Dhabi today to discuss the future of the Middle East Aviation industry in the still unfolding global economic crisis, were bullish about the region's prospects citing the underlying issues, trends and recent growth patterns as some of the reasons for this outlook. They believe that the Middle East aviation sector is set to soar.

The 2nd Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit organized by Terrapinn, a leading global business media company, unveiled results of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) report which declared that the region "will be growing while others are stagnating."

"The Middle East is poised to shine," according to CAPA report. Hifazat Ahmad, General Manager of Terrapinn Middle East said: "What we heard today from global and regional aviation industry leaders was candid and bold. The good news is it was also positive. The reasons for rapid growth in the aviation sector are somewhat complex, but almost all agreed that the overall future outlook is upbeat. This youthful region is to shape the growth of the future of aviation."

Peter Harbison, Chairman of CAPA who will chair the Summit of the conference, said: "A picture emerges of a potentially remarkable and long-term sustainable growth path in the Middle East, rather than an excessive, unplanned, over-hyped bubble which is about to burst, as many outside the region, and some within, may believe.

"Whatever happens in the remainder of the world, there are still strong indications that the region will continue to support strong levels of traffic growth. This applies both to long-haul, hub services and short-haul, point to point operations," he observed.

The rapid growth in the aviation sector is expected to continue and will be supported by the region's underlying economic growth and regional commercial development. The strategic geographic location, adoption of new technology and regulatory issues are some of the other reasons for this outlook.

"A vibrant aviation sector is a key factor in the diversification of Middle East economies and plays a key enabling role for many other sectors, including the growing financial services and tourism industries."

Because of the importance aviation assumes in several nations' economic diversification strategies, several of the region's players have been undertaking large-scale expansion, injecting billions of dollars into fleet renewal, airport augmentation and tourism-related infrastructure projects.