Aviation Emirates and United Airlines sign codeshare pact to expand reach Dubai’s Emirates and US carrier United Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement to enhance their network amid a resurgence of air travel. Starting in November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco and Houston – three of the biggest business hubs in the US – will be able to connect to United flights to and […] September 15, 2022
Aviation Emirates boosts Algiers flights as Algeria rebounds from Covid Dubai’s Emirates is increasing its flights to Algeria, as the country enjoys a marked improvement on its path to post-pandemic economic recovery. The Dubai airline will add a fifth weekly flight to Algiers from October 7, using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates began operations to Algiers in 2013. It resumed services in November 2021 after […] September 14, 2022
World Cup 2022 Qatar’s airspace deal to boost global aviation ambitions Qatar is gearing up to establish its own airspace in a move that is key to the country’s ambitions to becoming a global aviation hub. The Qatari Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has signed a pact with representatives of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, with the activation of operations of the new Doha flight information […] September 8, 2022
Aviation Turkish Airlines to add more flights to UAE as demand surges Flag carrier Turkish Airlines plans to increase flight frequencies to and from the UAE to boost connectivity amid higher customer demand. The number of flights from Istanbul to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah will increase, offering more flexibility to customers, the airline said in a statement. Currently, Turkish Airlines has three daily flights from Dubai […] September 8, 2022
Aviation Emirates ‘flies against grain’ with $2bn investment pledge Emirates president Sir Tim Clark has taken a swipe at his rivals, pledging to invest $2 billion while claiming others are cutting costs in response to industry pressures. The Dubai airline plans to enhance its inflight customer experience, including a programme to retrofit over 120 aircraft with the latest interiors, plus an array of other […] August 10, 2022
Aviation Saudi PIF joins France’s Ardian to bid for Heathrow stake French private equity firm Ardian is looking at a possible joint proposal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to buy Spainish firm Ferrovial’s 25 percent stake in London’s Heathrow, Reuters reported, citing informed sources. The sources said that Ardian has talked with its own advisers on a possible joint proposal with the Saudi sovereign […] August 10, 2022
UAE’s Etihad confirms Airbus A350 freighter order European planemaker Airbus said that Abu Dhabi state-owned carrier Etihad Airways has confirmed seven new generation A350F freighters jets. The freighters will upgrade Etihad’s freight capacity by deploying the most efficient cargo aircraft available in the market, Airbus said in a press statement on August 4, 2022. This order of the A350F sees the UAE […] August 4, 2022
Transport Etihad Rail on track to deliver UAE property price rises The UAE-wide Etihad Rail network is set to drive significant price hikes for properties located near its stations, according to industry experts. The 1,200km rail track, which is expected to carry over 60 million tonnes of freight and 36.5 million passengers by 2030, aims to make commuting easier for UAE residents. Ata Shobeiry, CEO at […] August 3, 2022
Analysis Emirates calls on Airbus to make planes even bigger than A380 Airbus, the world’s largest passenger aircraft manufacturer, needs to build bigger planes to create a more sustainable aviation sector, its top customer, Emirates Airline, has said. The Airbus A380 is the largest ever commercial passenger plane, capable of seating 853 people on two decks, together with perks such as bars and shower spas. “When you […] July 29, 2022
Aviation Saudi Arabia to cut airport charges by up to 35% Saudi Arabia announced this week it is reducing its airport charges for airlines by up to 35 percent, as part of its $100 billion investment strategy to boost its capacity to 330 million passengers per year by the end of the decade. The reductions will apply to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam airports and will range […] July 22, 2022
Retail Online shopping spikes demand for Dubai warehouse space The growth of the online retail sector during the pandemic has resulted in a surge in demand for warehouse facilities in Dubai, according to new data. The UAE online retail sector will be valued at $8 billion by 2025, up from $5 billion in 2021 and $2.7 billion in 2020, according to a report published […] July 22, 2022
Analysis People & Lifestyle Biden’s first win: Saudi Arabia opens airspace to Israel Saudi Arabia has announced it will open its airspace to all air carriers, including Israeli flights – marking a stepchange for the kingdom which has a historical stance of not officially recognising Israel. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a statement on Thursday saying that the country’s airspace was now open to all […] July 15, 2022 In association with
Exclusive Aviation Emirates chief: ‘We’re almost back to normal’ Dubai airline still needs 5,000 more staff and 900 pilots, says COO Dubai’s Emirates airlines will splash $2 billion on new hires and aircraft upgrades as demand for flights ramps up, a top executive has revealed. Aviation was among the worst hit sectors during the global pandemic as international borders shuttered during lockdowns. In 2020 […] July 6, 2022
Transport Saudi reveals tram project to drive AlUla tourism ambitions Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to build a new tram system as they aim to develop AlUla as a major international tourism destination. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) said the tram will connect all of AlUla’s most important landmarks, archaeological sites, tourist destinations, urban areas and transport infrastructure. The first phase of the system […] July 5, 2022
Turkey and Armenia agree to start direct cargo trade Turkey and Armenia agreed in normalisation talks between special representatives that the neighbours would start direct air cargo trade between each other at the earliest possible date, as they work to mend ties after decades of animosity. Turkey has been working to normalise relations with Armenia in coordination with Azerbaijan since December. The neighbours held […] July 4, 2022
Opinion New port plans for Sudan need wider consultation The UAE's plan to invest $6bn in a second port in Sudan has been met with some resistance July 1, 2022
Transport UAE drivers rent cars rather than buy since fuel price surge Rising petrol prices in the UAE are pushing small businesses and private individuals to switch from vehicle ownership to rentals, industry experts said. UAE fuel prices have increased more than 40 percent since the beginning of this year, attributed to tightening global crude supplies after EU sanctions on oil imports from Russia, the world’s third […] July 1, 2022
DP World port deal set to boost UAE’s trade with Romania Dubai’s DP World has signed a deal to develop infrastructure at the Black Sea port of Constanta, in a move designed to boost bilateral trade relations between Romania and the UAE. The agreement between the Romanian government, Dubai’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) and port operator DP World will also expand cooperation in […] June 29, 2022
Logistics Abu Dhabi incentives tipped to relieve squeeze on factory space Analysts have welcomed Abu Dhabi’s plan to launch an incentives package aimed at the industrial sector, including discounts on electricity bills and land purchases. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, unveiled the package last week, ahead of its launch in July. The scheme also includes a […] June 29, 2022
UAE to build port in Sudan as part of $6bn investment package The United Arab Emirates will build a new Red Sea port in Sudan, as part of a $6 billion investment package, said DAL group chairman Osama Daoud Abdellatif, a partner in the deal which marks the first major foreign investment since the military took power in an October coup. Abdellatif said the package includes a […] June 21, 2022
Analysis Aviation Re-opening of long-haul routes helps reduce airline losses Middle East aviation industry losses are expected to narrow to $1.9 billion in 2022 after the region’s airlines lost $4.7 billion last year. According to the latest figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the re-opening of many long-haul routes in particular has been a “welcome boost” to airlines in the Middle East. […] June 20, 2022
Aviation 58 million travellers expected at Dubai airport in 2022 Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to serve over 58 million passengers this year, more than double the amount in 2021, as the UAE’s aviation sector continues to rebound from the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic. The figure was revealed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman […] June 16, 2022
