Business

Air Arabia plans to double fleet expansion in a year

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2023

Air Arabia has revealed its plans to double its current fleet capacity within the next 12 months, in a step that aims to support Abu Dhabi’s leisure and business tourism market and its growing aviation needs.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said, “Tourism is one of the key pillars of the UAE economy. Abu Dhabi is an Emirate with solid destination appeal and our enhanced fleet size will continue to support the current robust inbound tourism, in line with the Emirate’s long-term vision of growing regional and global visitor numbers.”

“In 2022, a record 15.9 million guests travelled through Abu Dhabi, nearly threefold the number of visitors in 2021 at 5.26 million. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, which complements Etihad Airways’ services from the UAE capital, is contributing to this remarkable growth by catering to the growing low-cost travel market segment in the region,” Al Ali added, highlighting Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s contribution to the capital’s tourism growth.

Air Arabia is bullish on their growth plans for Abu Dhabi and the outlook for aviation generally for 2023.

“Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is supporting the UAE capital’s growing prominence as a global tourism and business hub. Doubling the fleet strength will be crucial to meet growing passenger demand for low-cost travel as the city records a new wave of growth in tourism, driven by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 23 million tourists annually by 2030.”

Sharing his expectations for the travel and aviation sector at the regional and global levels, Al Ali noted that “despite the continued economic challenges and geopolitical concerns, 2023 continues to be an extraordinary year for the airline industry. It marked the return of the global aviation industry to near normality as travel restrictions eased, leading to strong passenger demand for air travel.”

“The industry is now recovering from its supply chain challenges and the pent-up demand for travel worldwide is continuing to drive growth,” he said in conclusion.

Staff Reporter

Business

Missed your corporate tax? UAE waives penalties for late filers

Published

14 hours ago

May 1, 2025

Michael Gomes

Businesses in the UAE that missed the deadline to register for corporate tax have been given a welcome break. A new decision by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) waives administrative penalties for those who missed the registration deadline, as long as they meet specific conditions.

To benefit from the waiver, companies must submit their corporate tax returns or annual statements within seven months of their first tax period, in line with the UAE Corporate Tax Law.

Even better, businesses that already paid fines, but now meet the new conditions, will be eligible for refunds, according to the FTA.

This Cabinet-approved move aims to support businesses during the first year of corporate tax implementation, giving them more flexibility to comply with the new rules without facing hefty penalties.

Who’s Eligible?

Companies or exempt entities that missed the registration deadline
Must file their tax return or annual statement within 7 months of their first tax period

Why It Matters

The waiver reflects the UAE’s intention to ease the transition into the new corporate tax regime and encourage businesses to regularise their status without fear of penalties.

(Source: Wam)

Business

UAE’s Etihad Airways unveils new travel programme to simplify business trips

Published

17 hours ago

May 1, 2025

Michael Gomes

Etihad Airways has launched a brand-new corporate travel programme designed to make business travel easier, more flexible, and tailored to companies of all sizes.

The announcement was made at Arabian Travel Market 2025, highlighting the airline’s push to offer smarter, more efficient travel solutions for the corporate sector.

Smart Travel for Businessmen

At the heart of the new programme is a digital platform that gives businesses full control over their travel needs. From easy bookings to automated reports and expense tracking, the platform helps companies manage travel faster and more efficiently.

Corporate clients will also gain access to customised benefits based on how much they travel, including:

Special corporate rates
Priority check-in and services
Flexible booking options
Dedicated account management for larger businesses

Designed to Grow With You

Javier Alija, Vice President of Global Sales and Distribution at Etihad Airways, said:

“Today’s business world needs travel solutions that are efficient and adaptable.”

Whether you’re a small business looking for better travel rates or a multi-national company needing a fully managed solution, the new programme is built to scale with your needs.

Key Features Companies Can Expect:

A corporate travel portal with 24/7 access
Performance dashboards and real-time analytics
Dedicated support for business travellers
Personalised benefits tailored to your company

Real estate

Chelsea FC teams up with Dubai property company to launch football-themed residences

Published

17 hours ago

May 1, 2025

Michael Gomes

Chelsea Football Club has announced an exciting new partnership with DAMAC Properties, bringing the iconic football brand to Dubai’s real estate scene.

The partnership will lead to the creation of Chelsea Residences by DAMAC, a first-of-its-kind, football-themed residential project in Dubai Maritime City, the city’s newest beachfront location.

A Football-Inspired Seafront Lifestyle

The upcoming Chelsea Residences will feature over 1,400 seafront units, each offering stunning views and access to Chelsea-branded amenities focused on health, fitness, and high-performance living.

From concierge services to training-style spaces inspired by elite sports facilities, every corner of the development will reflect the spirit and style of Chelsea FC.

DAMAC on Chelsea Team Shirts

As part of the partnership, DAMAC’s logo will appear on Chelsea’s match shirts for the rest of the season. The branding will make its debut on Thursday during the UEFA Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden.

Leaders React

AmiraSajwani, Managing Director of Sales & Development at DAMAC Properties, said: “This isn’t just about real estate, it’s about creating a unique lifestyle that reflects Chelsea’s legacy and relentless pursuit of excellence.”

Jason Gannon, President and COO of Chelsea FC, added: “We’re thrilled to bring Chelsea to life in Dubai through this innovative project with DAMAC. It’s a major step in expanding our global presence.”