Changing fortunes at the Middle East 'big three' (MEB3) carriers, Emirates,Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, provide a handy snapshot of the pandemic's deep impact on the global airline business.In the 2000s and 2010s this trio played an ever-larger role in moving people and goods worldwide.They became known as 'super-connectors', their large fleets operating continent-spanning route networks from their respective home hubs in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.Back in 2000, Emirates carried 4.7 million passengers serving 50 destinations. In 2019, before COVID-19 struck, it transported 58 million travellers, operated 250 jets, and flew to 150 destinations. Qatar Airways went from flying 3.3 million passengers in its 2003/04 financial year to 32.4 million passengers, 200 jets and 150 destinations by 2019. Etihad grew to 37 aircraft and 4.6 million travellers within four years of its 2003 launch, further expanding to 17.5 passengers and 107 aircraft in 2019.
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