Arabian Gulf carriers on course to join top 10 airline brands in world

High-profile sponsorship deals, fleet investments and route expansions are causing the Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad and Qatar Airways to ascend Brand Finance’s ranking of the world’s most valuable airline brands.

Qatar Airways ranks 11th on Brand Finance’s 2015 list, with a brand valuation of $2.7 billion. Courtesy Qatar Airways
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LONDON // All three big Arabian Gulf airlines will rank among the world’s top 10 aviation brands by as early as 2018, according to a new forecast.

High-profile sponsorship deals, fleet investments and route expansions are causing the Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad and Qatar Airways to ascend Brand Finance's ranking of the world's most valuable airline brands to join Dubai's Emirates, which sits at the top of the pile.

The London consultancy said Emirates is global aviation's biggest name, with a brand valuation of US$6.6 billion.

Qatar Airways ranks 11th on Brand Finance’s 2015 list, with a brand valuation of $2.7bn, while Etihad Airways is in 19th place, with its brand worth $1.4bn.

Both airlines are expected to enter the top 10 within three to five years, said Andrew Campbell, managing director of Brand Finance Middle East.

“It would be huge to have three of the top 10 from the GCC,” he said. “It’s very significant for the world aviation industry.”

Etihad and Qatar were among the world's five fastest-growing aviation brands between last year and this year. That growth is set to continue, with Qatar Airways expected to enter the top-10 global aviation brands when Brand Finance's annual list is published in February, while Etihad is likely to reach the top 10 in just a few years' time, Mr Campbell said.

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