Pratap John

Doha

Business Editor at Gulf Times

Business Editor at Gulf Times.

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Articles

Open skies, harmonised regulations can unlock Middle East’s aviation potential

1 week ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Global air travel is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3% annually over the next 20 years. During the period under review, the Middle East region has been projected to grow faster — at 4.8% a year. The GCC countries including Qatar is going to be at the heart of that. That said, the region is not developing evenly, which according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is a reality that’s difficult for some to accept.
Qatar’s economic growth expected to 'broadly steady' this year; sharp pickup seen in 2026: NBK

1 week ago | zawya.com | Pratap John

Qatar’s economic growth is expected to broadly steady this year before accelerating sharply in 2026, according to National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). In its latest ‘Economic Insight’, NBK said Qatar’s fiscal accounts are expected to show surplus and public debt to fall in 2026. “Economic growth in Qatar is expected broadly steady in 2025 at 2.4% before accelerating sharply to 5.5% in 2026,” NBK noted.
Qatar’s economic growth expected to 'broadly steady' this year; sharp pickup seen in 2026: NBK

1 week ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Qatar’s economic growth is expected to broadly steady this year before accelerating sharply in 2026, according to National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). In its latest ‘Economic Insight’, NBK said Qatar’s fiscal accounts are expected to show surplus and public debt to fall in 2026. “Economic growth in Qatar is expected broadly steady in 2025 at 2.4% before accelerating sharply to 5.5% in 2026,” NBK noted.
Led by Qatar, GECF accounts for 47% of LNG cargo exports so far in 2025

1 week ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Led mainly by Qatar, GECF member countries accounted for 47% of cargoes exported in 2025 thus far, the forum said in its latest monthly report. In March, some 577 LNG cargoes were exported globally, Gas Exporting Countries Forum said in its Monthly Gas Market Report. This represents an increase of 19 shipments compared to a year ago, GECF noted. Moreover, the number of shipments rebounded in March 2025, by 14% when compared with the total in the previous month.
Lower fuel costs emerge short-term positive factor for global air cargo

2 weeks ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Jet fuel is one of the largest cost components for air carriers—often up to 30–40% of total operating expenses. When fuel prices drop, airlines obviously save significantly on expenses, especially for long-haul or frequent routes. Margins also improve, allowing carriers to stay profitable even with competitive pricing.
Fawran clocks 5.5mn transactions worth QR10.1bn in one year up to March: QCB

2 weeks ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Qatar Central Bank’s instant payment system – Fawran has clocked 5.5mn transactions valued at QR10.1bn in one year since its launch in March 2024, QCB said Tuesday. Transaction volume shows an increase of 31% vis-à-vis Fawran in one year up to March, QCB pointed out. Transaction value vis-à-vis Fawran had gone up 28% during the period. The number of registered individual accounts with Fawran stood at 2.7mn and registered corporate accounts at 99,000 in March, QCB said.
Global air passenger demand grows 3.3% year-on-year in March: IATA

2 weeks ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Global air passenger demand grew by 3.3% year-on-year in March, a slight strengthening from the 2.7% growth reported for February this year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). A capacity expansion of 5.3%, however, outpaced the demand expansion leading to a load factor decline from record highs to 80.7% systemwide, IATA’s just released data for March revealed. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 3.3% compared to March last year.
Qatar, US and Australia deliver over 1,000 LNG shipments each in 2024: GECF

2 weeks ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Qatar, US and Australia have delivered over 1,000 LNG shipments each in 2024, a new report by GECF has shown. These three top LNG exporters accounted for 56% of the global LNG shipment, according to 'GECF Annual Gas Market Report 2025'. The number of LNG shipments increased by 1%, adding 66 cargoes, to reach a total of 6,336 cargoes in 2024, the report said.
Amir inaugurates Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar PV power plants

2 weeks ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, inaugurated the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar PV power plants with a combined capacity of 875 megawatts (MW), which will more than double Qatar’s solar energy production to 1,675MW of renewable energy.
Global trade tension reshapes logistics; airfreight under pressure due to uncertainties

4 weeks ago | gulf-times.com | Pratap John

Global trade drives prosperity, and any measures undermining the free flow of goods ultimately hurt businesses, consumers, and economies worldwide. Obviously, tariffs and trade barriers decrease global trade flows. Trade tensions, especially between the top two global economies the United States and China and among other major economies, often lead to tariffs and trade barriers, which in turn reduce international trade volumes. Less trade means less demand for air cargo services.