UAE aviation drives $92bn economy, 18 per cent of GDP, with DXB the world’s busiest airport, 160m passenger capacity and 4.36m tonnes of cargo in 2024
Transport
Aviation
UAE airports handled over 1bn passengers and 6.4m flights in 10 years
UAE aviation hits 1 billion passengers and 6.4 million flights in a decade, ranking first worldwide in air transport quality
Dubai
Dubai’s Emirates expands Premium Economy service to New York JFK routes
Customers travelling between Dubai and Milan will be able to select Premium Economy seats on Emirates from two daily flights
UAE logistics
UAE unveils national logistics council to drive $54bn economy and cut red tape
The UAE has launched a Logistics Integration Council to boost the sector to $54.4bn by 2031, streamline services and reinforce global trade hub status
Dubai roads
Dubai builds 103km of new roads across 8 districts to slash travel times
Dubai has built 103km of new roads across eight districts, with RTA projects set to ease congestion, boost capacity and slash travel times for residents
Aviation
Saudi airports and airlines ranked: Saudia and Riyadh’s King Khalid top GACA index
Saudia ranked top in GACA’s July 2025 index with fewest complaints, while Riyadh’s King Khalid airport led globally with 100 per cent resolution rate
DP World
DP World’s new Morocco–UK shipping service cuts fruit export times by two days
DP World launches Morocco–UK “Atlas” service in November 2025, cutting fruit export times by 2 days and reducing emissions by 70 per cent with new reefer fleet
Saudi Arabia Empty Quarter
Saudi Arabia-Oman ties with $533m Empty Quarter road
Saudi Arabia’s $533m, 564 km Empty Quarter road to Oman boosts trade, tourism, and logistics goals
Dubai Traffic
How Dubai uses AI traffic lights to slash delays by 37%
Dubai RTA upgrades 300 traffic signals to AI-powered UTC-UX Fusion system by 2026, cutting delays up to 37 per cent and advancing the city’s smart mobility vision
Aviation
Qatar Airways to launch direct Doha–Red Sea International Airport flights in October 2025
Qatar Airways to start direct Doha–Red Sea flights from Oct 21, 2025, linking Saudi’s Vision 2030 destination with Hamad International Airport
Aviation
Etihad Airways reports record $306m profit in H1 2025 as passenger numbers soar
Etihad Airways posted a record $306m profit in H1 2025, up 32 per cent, as passenger numbers rose 17 per cent to 10.2m and network expansion hit 27 new routes
Dubai free parking
Dubai announces free parking on Friday, September 5
RTA announces free parking and Dubai public transport timings
FedEx
FedEx launches first nonstop flight from West to Saudi Arabia to boost trade and logistics hub goals
Operating six times per week, the new Boeing 777 freighter connects the Americas and Europe to Riyadh, with onward connections to Guangzhou and Shanghai
delivery
Dubai issues new rules to boost $1.36bn online food delivery market
Dubai introduces new guidelines for its AED5bn ($1.36bn) online food delivery sector, aiming to boost growth, raise standards and attract more investment
DP World
DP World’s $2.5bn investment creates 5,000 new jobs across India, UK, Africa and Latin America
DP World’s $2.5bn global investment is creating 5,000 new jobs in India, the UK, Africa and Latin America, with major port and logistics projects set to boost trade
Dubai
Dubai RTA opens Old Dubai Souq, Al Sabkha marine transport stations on Creek
The stations serve the marine transport network as part of RTA’s plan to upgrade marine transport facilities across Dubai’s development sectors
GCAA
UAE GCAA launches F.O.C.U.S. digital platform for aviation operators
F.O.C.U.S. provides a unified gateway for air operators seeking operational approvals to UAE airports