Fuel costs now account for a staggering 43 per cent of airline costs, compared to 12 per cent a decade ago, said the president of Emirates, the leading international airline of the UAE.

Tim Clark highlighted fuel prices among other challenges and opportunities for regional and global aviation in a one-on-one seminar with leading aviation consultant John Strickland at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2011, a major tourism and travel event, in Dubai.

High fuel prices was an area of focus, with oil now exceeding $120 per barrel, up from $86 per barrel a year earlier according to figures from the International Air Transport Association (Iata), Clark pointed out.

“If by the end of the year oil prices have reached around $130 - $140 per barrel, watch this space, there will be some casualties. I expect that airlines which will struggle particularly are those on the periphery,” he said.

With Emirates Airline having mitigated some of the impact by implementing small fuel surcharges and managing business costs, he said that airlines with weaker balance sheets and less flexibility would suffer if high prices continued.

Commenting from the sidelines of ATM, Mark Walsh, group exhibition director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said: “Despite the high oil prices, lingering effects of the economic downturn impacting many industries and unrest in some parts of the region, the Gulf’s aviation sector is displaying strong growth.”

“Arabian Travel Market is one of the most popular for airline businesses, among the leading international exhibitions in terms of the high number of airline exhibitors it attracts, thanks in part to our excellent access to the region’s key industry decision-makers,” added Walsh.

Despite the difficulties, Clark was optimistic given the continued strength of Emirates and other Middle East carriers.

The impressive performance of Emirates and other regional airlines, including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air and others underpins his belief in the continuing strong value proposition of commercial aviation, he said.

Clark also discussed the controversial impact of traffic rights at international airports, regional unrest, environmental standards, and the lingering effects of the global economic downturn.

With regulations in Canada and Germany restricting Emirates’ landing rights at airports in some cities, Clark said he respected these decisions while explaining “there are always ways over, through or around such obstacles”.

Despite restrictions at some airports, Clark said many more countries were becoming increasingly aware of the connection between improved aviation links and broader economic benefits.

He referred particularly to South America, with Emirates introducing flights to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires in the coming months.

Regarding the ongoing difficulties in some areas of the Middle East, Clark referred to Emirates’ continuing flights to most areas of region, with the exception of Libya, along with a reduction in connections to some Gulf cities.

Even at the height of Egypt’s unrest earlier this year, Emirates reduced some of its flights but did not cut its Egypt services. While Emirates’ 2011 first quarter figures are not due for release until next week, he cited an impressive rebound in Egyptian passenger traffic during February and March.

Aviation was also covered in a day two panel session also moderated by Strickland, featuring senior representatives from Boeing Commercial, Air Arabia and Oman Air.

Emirates Airline reported profits of $925 million for the first half of the 2010-2011 financial year, up 350 per cent on 2009-2010. It also plans to expand its fleet of 152 aircraft, which includes 15 Airbus A380s, with 200 more jets on order over the next eight years, Clark said.

Recent forecasts from Iata indicate Middle East carriers expect to return a profit of $700 million for the year, a considerable improvement on the $400 million previously forecast.

Negative impacts in some unrest-affected areas are balanced by the Gulf region, which benefits from economic activity related to high oil prices and a large share of the global long-haul market.

ATM 2011 opened yesterday (April 2) and will run until April 5 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. – TradeArabia News Service