Read the July 2026 MEED Business Review

30 June 2026
Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode
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The events that unfolded from 28 February delivered the Gulf aviation sector its toughest test since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Missile and drone attacks exposed the fragility of one of the region’s most vital economic engines, triggering unprecedented disruption. In just one week, more than 15,000 flights were cancelled across seven major Gulf airports, leaving over 1.5 million passengers stranded and sending shockwaves through global travel networks.

While the Gulf's national airlines have largely restored services, many international carriers remain absent, highlighting the lasting impact of the crisis.

So what does this mean for the future of Gulf aviation? In the July issue of MEED Business Review, MEED editor Colin Foreman examines how the industry responded under extraordinary pressure – and why the crisis revealed not only its vulnerabilities, but also the remarkable resilience that will shape its next chapter.

July’s market focus is on the Levant, and finds the region’s three markets – Jordan, Lebanon and Syria – recovering at different speeds and from very different starting points. 

This edition also includes a tourism report as the first signs of recovery begin to emerge in Dubai, and the region presses ahead with tourism projects

In the latest issue, we speak to EtihadWE about its roadmap for future projects, examine why the Mena projects market continues to show remarkable resilience despite regional conflict, and investigate whether Big Tech is delivering on its data centre ambitions.

We also explore the multibillion-dollar opportunity emerging from the region’s evolving retirement savings market and discover how Aramco's citizen developers are accelerating digital transformation from within.

We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the July 2026 issue of MEED Business Review

 

Must-read sections in the July 2026 issue of MEED Business Review include:

AGENDA: Gulf aviation ambitions face uncertain future

> AIRPORTS: Dubai and Riyadh reaffirm airport ambitions

INDUSTRY REPORT:
Tourism investment
Dubai eyes tourism sector recovery
GCC presses ahead with tourism projects

> INTERVIEW: EtihadWE prepares roadmap for future projects 

> PROJECTS MARKET: Mena project momentum holds despite conflict

> DATA CENTRES: Big Tech falls short on data centre promise

> SAVINGS: Retirement creates multibillion-dollar opportunity for region

> LEADERSHIP: Aramco’s citizen developers accelerate digital change

> INTERVIEW: Samsung E&A’s hydrocarbons business rooted in Mena

> LEVANT MARKET FOCUS
> COMMENT: Levant recovers in three speeds
> GOVERNMENT: Jordan consolidates as deeper reforms lag

> BANKING: Caution governs Jordanian bank lending
> POWER & WATER: Record investment drives Jordan’s utilities market
> ECONOMY: Gulf liquidity outpaces Syria’s financial revival
> PROJECTS: 
Momentum builds for Syrian projects
> OIL & GAS: Activity ramps up in Syria’s oil and gas sector
> CONSTRUCTION: Prospects improve for Levant construction
> OIL & GAS: Lebanon taps foreign players to assess resources
> DATABANK: Jordan faces fresh round of challenges

MEED COMMENTS: 
UAE clears the path for recovery

Water tariffs near their floor
Petrofac seeks to reclaim lost ground
The UAE’s eastern pivot

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf index extends growth streak into 15th month

> MAY 2026 CONTRACTS: Middle East contract awards

> ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects

> OPINIONThe price of permanent risk

BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts

To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

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