UAE PMI remains in expansion territory at 53.5 while Dubai real estate transactions soar 38 per cent in value and tourism exceeds pre-COVID levels
Travel & Hospitality
Aviation
Etihad Airways expands access to 24 Greek islands via new codeshare deal with SKY express
New Etihad partnership offers seamless travel to Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and more via Athens
Aviation
Saudia Airlines transports 17.5m passengers in H1 2025 with world-leading on-time performance
Saudia achieved a 7.2 per cent increase in passenger numbers and ranked first globally for punctuality in March and June 2025
UAE Aviation
Wizz Air to exit Abu Dhabi by September 2025: Refunds and final UAE flight dates revealed
Wizz Air to stop Abu Dhabi flights as airline announces ‘strategic realignment’ and final dates for flights from UAE
hospitality industry
Wyndham Hotels, Cygnett announce massive expansion plan for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal
The partnership is expected to add more than 60 hotels across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal over the next 10 years
Saudi ministry of tourism
Saudi Arabia shuts down 10 offices in crackdown on travel operators
Fines ranging from $13,333 to $270,000 to be imposed for operating without licenses and organising unauthorised Umrah and visitation packages
Saudi Tourism
Saudi Arabia tops global ranking for tourism spending growth in Q1 2025
Saudi Arabia sees 102 percent surge in international tourist arrivals in Q1 2025 compared to 2019
Emirates
Emirates reveals top summer 2025 travel trends as Vietnam, Mauritius and Sri Lanka lead global demand
Vietnam, Mauritius and Sri Lanka top Emirates’ 2025 summer travel list as global bookings surge
Crypto.com
UAE holiday dates; Commission-free Dubai real estate apps; 2025 visa-free travel ideas; Major Saudi property news – 10 things you missed this week
From UAE long weekend forecasts and visa-free travel tips to crypto-backed property deals and Saudi Arabia’s latest labour reforms, this week’s must-read stories capture the shifts driving business, real estate, and mobility across the Gulf
inflight Wi-Fi
Qatar Airways now has the world’s fastest inflight Wi-Fi after Boeing 777 upgrade
Qatar Airways completes record Starlink Wi-Fi rollout on 54 Boeing 777s, sets new standard for in-flight connectivity
cruise business
Saudi Arabia launches first national cruise ship framework to boost Red Sea tourism and marine sustainability
Saudi Arabia introduces national cruise ship framework to boost Red Sea tourism
air travel
UAE summer 2025: flydubai announces limited-time deals for six destinations
The flydubai packages include return flights and hotel stays of up to three nights, targeting passengers travelling from the UAE
AI
Byte to Eat: Futuristic Dubai restaurant WOOHOO to open in September with world’s first AI la carte chef
Dubai restaurant WOOHOO to serve up food designed by AI-powered chef
Aviation
Saudia to launch direct Dammam to London Heathrow flights from November 2025
Three weekly flights to connect King Fahd International Airport with Heathrow as Saudi Arabia boosts European air links and inbound tourism
crypto
Emirates to integrate crypto payments in 2026
New deal aims to enable Crypto.com Pay on Emirates’ platforms as Dubai accelerates push to become global digital finance hub
Indian expats in UAE
UAE summer 2025: Visa-free travel destinations for Indian passport holders from Dubai
Indian passport holders in Dubai are advised to confirm entry requirements with official embassy or consulate sources before booking travel
Aviation
Dubai International Airport launches DXB Greet & Go smart pickup service at Terminal 3
The service targets guests arriving in Dubai with pre-booked hotel, limousine, or tour operator services, replacing traditional guest paging with a technology-enabled experience