UAE carriers pin high hopes on expo, route networks.

Senior industry executives and aviation analysts see 2020 as a promising year for local airlines in the UAE, which will focus on new route networks, cost optimisation, as well as cashing in on increased traffic from the middle of this year for the Expo 2020 Dubai event.

The latter half of the year will benefit from Expo 2020, pushing into 2021 - but customers will be the biggest winners. Choice, pricing, and growing city pair options out of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah will ensure that the UAE remains a key nexus point for regional and international travel.

Emirates, the world's largest international carrier, said that it will usher in 2020 with a continued focus on strengthening...