In a bid to become the aviation capital of the world, Dubai is investing more than $13 billion in civil aviation and aerospace industry projects as part of a master plan that extends to 2050. Neighboring emirate Abu Dhabi is also moving to get in on the booming aviation sector, with plans to spend up to $50 billion, but with such lofty ambitions there are always additional problems, such as a serious shortage of pilots. Dubai International Airport (DXB), the tenth busiest in the world in 2006 according to Airports Council International, is spending $4.5 billion on terminals and other facilities that will triple capacity by 2009 to 75 million, while the $33 billion Dubai World Central (DWC) will be centered around the world’s largest airport and cargo hub. This heavy investment comes as the MENA region is set for the largest aviation growth globally between 2008-11, almost 40% higher
