One million connections and counting: Emirates customers embrace Starlink Wi-Fi

DUBAI, UAE, 2 July 2026: Emirates customers have made more than one million connections to Starlink Wi-Fi since the service was introduced across the airline's fleet 7 months ago, marking a major milestone in the evolution of inflight connectivity. More than a Petabyte of data has already been used by customers and feedback on the service has been exemplary - with many commenting that the Wi-Fi is ‘better than at home.’ With over 60 Starlink-equipped Emirates flights taking to the skies every day, customers are choosing to connect to high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi to stream content, join video calls, browse social media, game online and stay connected with family and friends throughout their journey. The one million milestone reflects the rapid adoption of Emirates' ......read full article

Hisense Showcases “Innovating a Brighter Life” Message at FIFA World Cup 2026TM

Dubai, UAE, July 2, 2026 – Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, is bringing its vision of “Innovating a Brighter Life” to football fans around the world through its pitch-side LED messages at FIFA World Cup 2026TM. Displayed throughout tournament matches and seen by millions in stadiums and billions watching worldwide, the messages showcase Hisense’s commitment to creating technologies that enrich everyday life. Among the most prominent messages are “Innovating a Brighter Life” and “The Origin of RGB MiniLED TV,” reinforcing the company’s brand vision and leadership in next-generation display innovation. Fazalur Rahman, Regional Marketing Director, Hisense Middle East & Africa, said: ......read full article

SalamAir Launches First Direct Flights Between Muscat and Medan, Indonesia

SalamAir, Oman's Low-Cost carrier celebrated the launch of its inaugural direct flight between Muscat and Medan, marking the airline's first-ever scheduled service to Indonesia and another milestone in its continued network expansion across Southeast Asia. The new route strengthens the growing economic, tourism and cultural ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Indonesia while providing travellers with an affordable and convenient direct connection between the two countries.  Ahead of the inaugural flight, SalamAir hosted an official celebration on 2 July 2026, the event brought together senior government representatives, aviation stakeholders, tourism partners, members of the diplomatic community and media representatives from both countries to commemorate ......read full article

MAIR Group and Makani Real Estate Announce Mall of Al Ain Redevelopment and Expansion

Hicham Dabbagh, Director of Leasing at Makani Real Estate; Haisam Sleiman, CEO of Makani Real Estate; Nehayan Hamad Alameri, Managing Director and Group CEO of MAIR Group; Khalil Yassine, Senior Strategic Advisor at MAIR Group; and Mohamad Issa Al Nehlawi, Director of Marketing at Makani Real Estate. Abu Dhabi, UAE – 02 July 2026 – MAIR Group PJSC (ADX: MAIR) ("MAIR" or the "Group"), a strategic investment company focused on grocery retail and commercial real estate, today announced the redevelopment and expansion of Mall of Al Ain, through its commercial real estate arm, Makani Real Estate, marking the Group's first major investment in the destination since its acquisition in 2024. Scheduled ahead of the mall’s 25th anniversary, the ......read full article

YouTube Introduces Supervised Kid Accounts Across the Middle East and North Africa

YouTube has launched new supervised kid accounts across the region, offering additional protections and features for children & parents. Designed for parents who feel their child is ready for the main YouTube app but want to supervise their experience, the accounts offer all the benefits of YouTube but with age-appropriate content settings, enhanced parental control features, and in-built protections. Features include an industry-first Shorts feed timer, which comes with the ability for parents to turn off Shorts scrolling entirely. Please find all high-res imagery here. Dubai, United Arab Emirates - July 2, 2026: YouTube has today launched supervised kid accounts across the Middle East and North Africa, including the United Arab Emirates. The accounts represent ......read full article

Alcatel-Lucent and The University of Manchester-Dubai join forces to support leadership and management development ...

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2 July 2026 - ALE International, operating under the trade name Alcatel-Lucent and The University of Manchester-Dubai, the Middle East branch of the leading global university, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new Strategic Talent Partnership focusing on higher education, research, professional development and networking in the Middle East region and globally. Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will have access to leadership and management development learning opportunities and programmes across the University’s global network of centres/branches, led by the Middle East branch in Dubai. The new partnership agreement focuses on leadership and management development for Alcatel-Lucent and The University of Manchester-Dubai and will ......read full article

LG UltraGear™ OLED: Redefining Speed and Motion Clarity with Industry-First VESA ClearMR 21000 Certification

The new LG UltraGear™ OLED is the world's first display to achieve VESA's highest-ever tier for motion clarity, combining a blazing 480Hz refresh rate with elite gaming performance.  LG's latest 27-inch UltraGear™ OLED gaming monitor is the first in the industry to secure the prestigious VESA ClearMR 21000 certification, representing the pinnacle of motion clarity. Engineered for competitive eSports, the monitor packs a 480Hz refresh rate, QHD resolution, and an ultra-fast 0.03ms GtG response time to eliminate motion blur. Featuring next-generation DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity and advanced anti-glare technology, the UltraGear™ OLED gaming monitor delivers a visual playground for professional-grade gaming and creative tasks.  DUBAI, ......read full article

Horizon International School Student Lilya Hasbini Wins Emerging Talent in Film Production Award

Year 12 student recognised for her short film ‘Silent Halls’ and growing work in film and creative media at the UAE’s Next Mastermind Awards 2026 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2nd July 2026: Horizon International School (HIS) is celebrating the outstanding achievement of Year 12 student Lilya Hasbini, who has received the ‘Emerging Talent in Film Production Award’ at the UAE’s Next Mastermind Awards 2026 held at Anantara Downtown Dubai on 27ᵗʰ June.  At just 17 years old, Lilya was recognised for her promise in film production, visual storytelling, and creative media, standing out among an influential gathering of visionary entrepreneurs, innovators, leaders, and changemakers. Currently studying AS Levels in Media Studies, English ......read full article

du Launches Football Prediction Game with Grand Finale Winner to Drive Away in a BYD Ti 7

du partners with Al-Futtaim BYD to offer a brand-new BYD Ti 7 as the grand prize Football fans can predict and climb the du App leaderboard and win smartphones Live VR penalty shootout experiences at selected du stores nationwide Dubai, UAE, 1 July 2026: du, a leading UAE telecom and digital services provider, has launched a multi-channel campaign designed to transform the way football fans engage this tournament season. The campaign combines a gamified match prediction experience exclusively on the du App along with immersive in-store VR activations at selected du retail locations across the UAE. Key details at a glance What: A match prediction game on du App Who: All du customers (18+)  Where: Exclusively on the du App When: 10 June – 19 July ......read full article

Jambo, Kenya! Emirates third daily flight touches down in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya, 1 July 2026 – Just after 05:00 am this morning, Emirates' long-awaited third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the first time. With the launch of EK717, Emirates now offers 21 weekly flights on the Dubai-Nairobi route, strengthening global connectivity and supporting Kenya's tourism ambitions.    Optimally timed for the summer schedule, EK717 departs Dubai at 01:20 and arrives in Nairobi at 05:25, allowing better connectivity from major US gateways and key destinations in Europe. The return flight, EK718 departs Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 07:10 and arrives in Dubai at 13:15*, unlocking more seamless onwards connections into the UK, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Portugal, ......read full article

flydubai celebrates first flight to Bangkok

The Dubai-based carrier expands its network in Thailand with the start of daily operations to Bangkok, providing more convenient travel options from Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 July 2026: flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has celebrated the launch of its daily operations to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, marking its second destination in Thailand alongside Krabi. The inaugural flight departed from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) on 01 July, offering passengers more options to connect to one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations. The inaugural flight touched down earlier today to a water cannon salute and a warm welcome from local officials representing the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Don Mueang International Airport as ......read full article

DXB set for a busy start to summer as daily guest numbers top 200,000

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 01 July 2026: Dubai International (DXB) is heading into its summer peak, with around 3 million guests expected through its terminals in the first half of July. The peak begins with a surge in departures from 2 July as residents head off for the holidays. The busiest day is expected to be 12 July with over 225,000 guests, in a fortnight where daily traffic regularly tops 200,000. Transfer traffic is expected to account for around 50% of total guests, reflecting Dubai's position as one of the world's most connected global hubs. I Heart DXB At Terminal 3, Concourse B (near Gates B28), the I Heart DXB interactive installation gives departing and transiting guests a way to connect with the city before they fly. By uploading a selfie, each guest ......read full article

Emirates becomes first airline cargo carrier to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF

First passenger to freighter converted aircraft joins Emirates’ growing cargo fleet. Boeing 777-300ERSF is the sixth new freighter aircraft inducted into Emirates SkyCargo’s operations since March 2026 Carrier to operate 5 passenger to freighter converted aircraft by the end of 2027. Dubai, UAE, 30 June 2026- Emirates is marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its cargo fleet by becoming the first airline cargo carrier* to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger to freighter converted aircraft. The aircraft (A6-EBK) will enter commercial service with a flight from Hong Kong to Dubai carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo. The converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF offers 100 tonnes of payload capacity and 811 m³ of cargo volume, representing a 25% ......read full article

The uae's first national passenger rail service begins as etihad rail welcomes first paying passengers

First scheduled service departs Fujairah at 5:34am, marking the beginning of a new era of integrated public transport in the UAE Abu Dhabi, UAE – 30 June 2026: The UAE's first national passenger rail service entered operation this morning as Etihad Rail welcomed its first paying passengers onboard the inaugural scheduled service from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, marking a historic milestone in the country's transport journey. Departing Fujairah Station at 5:34am and arriving at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi at 7:19am, the inaugural service marked the beginning of scheduled passenger rail services in the UAE. Customer demand has been strong since bookings opened, with more than 10,000 tickets sold ahead of the start of operations. A total of 6 passenger ......read full article

flydubai publishes inaugural Sustainability Report

The Dubai-based carrier’s “fly forward 2025” report marks a significant milestone in its journey towards integrating sustainability practices and processes into its operations and value chain Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 30 June 2026: flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, announced today the publication of its inaugural Sustainability Report for 2025. Titled “fly forward 2025,” the report outlines the formal execution of a five-year sustainability strategy. The report is developed in reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Structured across six core environmental, social and governance (ESG) pillars, the report underscores the airline’s commitment towards achieving ......read full article

dnata secures ground handling license at Amsterdam Schiphol

Seven-year award strengthens dnata’s position at key European hub Air services provider’s operations support more than 20 airlines and 16,000 flights annually dnata’s recent investments include €70 million cargo facility Amsterdam, Netherlands, 30 June 2026: dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has been re-awarded a ground handling license at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in the Netherlands, reinforcing its position at one of Europe’s most important aviation hubs. The award follows a competitive public tender by the airport operator and enables dnata to continue providing high-quality ground handling services at AMS for the next seven years, as Schiphol moves into the next phase of its ground handling operations. dnata ......read full article

Air Passenger Demand Falls 2.2% in May

30 June 2026 (Geneva) - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2026 global passenger demand: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 2.2% compared to May 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 0.7%.Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased 2.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.5% (+0.1 ppt compared to May 2025), a record high for May. International demand fell 1.6% compared to May 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 3.1%. Capacity was down 2.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.7% (+0.7 ppt compared to May 2025).   Domestic demand contracted 3.1% compared to May 2025. Capacity decreased 2.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.0% (-0.8 ppt compared ......read full article

Cars24 commits AED 75 million to AI with the launch of Cars24 Labs

Dubai, UAE | 29th June, 2026: Cars24, the global auto-tech platform, has announced the launch of Cars24 Labs, a dedicated AI build, partner, and investment arm backed by a AED 75 million commitment. The initiative marks the company's most significant strategic bet to date, and its clearest signal yet that it intends to be an AI-native business, not just an AI-enabled one. Cars24 Labs operates across three pillars. It builds proprietary AI products across the company's stack, alongside open-source models available for public use. It partners with companies working at the frontier of AI, with OpenAI, ElevenLabs, and AWS already signed on as foundational partners. And it invests in and incubates early-stage AI startups, offering capital, operational expertise, and the ......read full article

The next set begins: Emirates brings The Championships, Wimbledon to the skies

London, UK, 29 June 2026 – Emirates, the Official Airline Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon, is serving up another year of world-class hospitality and engaging ‘Fly Better’ experiences, both in the air and on the ground. Taking place from 29 June – 12 July at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, The Championships remains one of the most prestigious events on the global sporting calendar. Emirates is helping passengers get into the spirit onboard, while also bringing its signature hospitality closer to fans at SW19. Wimbledon fever at 40,000 feet Emirates’ passengers will be in for a treat at 40,000 feet with Wimbledon inspired dishes served in every cabin on all flights between Dubai and the UK from 29 June – 12 July. The iconic British ......read full article

Etihad rail invites the nation to nominate: "the passenger who represents us all"

Seat 1 in Coach 1 reserved for an individual whose contribution reflects the values that have helped shape the UAE Abu Dhabi, UAE – 26 June 2026: As passenger services prepare to commence on 30 June, Etihad Rail is inviting members of the public to nominate an individual whose contribution to society deserves national recognition. Through a nationwide initiative titled "The Passenger Who Represents Us All", Etihad Rail is seeking to honour a person whose actions have made a positive difference to others and whose contribution reflects the values that have helped shape the UAE. The selected nominee will occupy Seat 1 in Coach 1 on the first Etihad Rail passenger service departing Fujairah for Abu Dhabi on 30 June, becoming the railway's first passenger on a ......read full article