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Car rental firm now in Jordan for tourists to Petra or Dead Sea

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A generative AI image of a car in front of an archaeological site in Petra, Jordan
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Leading global car rental firm and the Dubai-incubated Finalrentals added Jordan this week to its atlas of world-class destinations for providing transport services to locals and tourists.

Jordan became the company’s 32nd country where FinalRentals will now have a presence, after the fastest growing car rental network reached the shores of Greece last month. “This signifies our commitment to offering quality, yet affordable car rental services to travellers exploring the landscapes and cultural treasures of the region,” said Ammar Akhtar, the CEO and Founder of FinalRentals, who spent his formative years in Dubai and is now being funded by British entities, DevBanc of Wales and Fuel Ventures.

“We are now building on our successful expansion into the vibrant Balkans and South Europe market by bringing our top-notch car rental services to customers in yet another dynamic and growing region like this through Jordan,” said Akhtar as he aims to expand his platform’s range to 100 countries by September 2025. “Our expansion into Jordan reflects our dedication to offering unmatched services in every corner of the globe.”

With two airports serving arrivals in Amman, one of the oldest inhabited cities especially in the Arab world, tourists can look forward to drive around the city before embarking on a road trip of 200 kilometres to the iconic ‘Rose City’ Petra or further south to Wadi Rum (285kms) or the beaches around the nearby Dead Sea. Home to more than 100,000 archaeological and tourist sites and possessing one of the best network of road and infrastructure, Jordan is an ideal destination to take out the car and enjoy the best that the country has to offer.

With the establishment of a master franchise in Jordan, FinalRentals will provide an unparalleled driving experience throughout the country. Travellers can embark on their own unique journeys and create unforgettable memories in the heart of the Middle East through the innovative platform conceived just before Covid-19 pandemic in Dubai.

For now Jordan is the next stop for the globe-trotting Akhtar. “Jordan holds a timeless allure with its rich history and breathtaking vistas, and we are thrilled to be part of our customers’ extraordinary adventures in this remarkable country. And it is also so close to Dubai where I spent so much time and where this company was born,” he said.

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Dubai-India Travel: Several flights cancelled as Air India cuts services amid safety concerns

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Planning to fly from Dubai to India soon? Check your flight status before heading to the airport. 

Air India has advised travellers to confirm in advance following the cancellation of several flights, including those from Dubai. 

The move is part of a broader cutback in international operations, as the airline conducts safety inspections across its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The inspections follow a recent tragic crash involving one of the aircraft.

Among the cancelled international routes are:

  • AI906 (Dubai–Chennai)
  • AI2204 (Dubai–Hyderabad)

Passengers flying on other airlines and looking to connect to their hometowns via Air India should be aware of the suspension of domestic and other international routes, such as:

  • AI308 (Delhi–Melbourne)
  • AI874 (Pune–Delhi)
  • AI456 (Ahmedabad–Delhi)
  • AI2872 (Hyderabad–Mumbai)
  • AI571 (Chennai–Mumbai)

The cancellations come after Air India announced a 15 per cent cut to international flights operated by its widebody aircraft, effective until at least mid-July. The airline said this temporary reduction is necessary due to ongoing safety inspections following the tragic crash of flight AI171 last week.

Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner heading from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and approximately 30 people on the ground. Only one person on the aircraft survived. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

In a statement, Tata Group-owned Air India said that 26 of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft have passed inspections and have returned to service. The airline said the cuts are meant to ensure stable operations, improve efficiency, and minimise passenger inconvenience.

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One visa, 6 countries: UAE confirms game-changing Schengen style GCC tourist pass

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Pack your bags, jet-setters. The Gulf is about to become your next ultimate multi-stop getaway, no extra paperwork needed.  A UAE minister has officially confirmed that a Schengen-style unified tourist visa for all six GCC countries is finally happening.

“The single GCC visa has been approved and should be rolled out soon,” revealed UAE’s Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri at a press event.

That means with one visa, you’ll be able to hop between Dubai’s skyscrapers, Oman’s mountains, Qatar’s museums, Bahrain’s beaches, Saudi Arabia’s mega projects, and Kuwait’s culture scene, all in a single trip.

Say Hello to the GCC Grand Tours Visa!

Nicknamed the “GCC Grand Tours Visa”, the new system is being compared to Europe’s Schengen visa, and yes, it’s that big of a deal.

Forget applying separately for each country. This new visa will give you free rein across the Gulf, making travel cheaper, faster, and way more fun.

Work Hard, Play Harder

Experts say the visa could spark a leisure boom, where business travellers stay longer to explore the region. Think quick meetings in Riyadh, followed by a weekend in Dubai or Muscat.

Plus, it’s expected to supercharge:

  • Tourism across all six countries
  • Job creation in hotels and travel
  • Billions in tourism spending
  • New resorts and attractions on the way!

Gulf Tourism Is Already on Fire

The Gulf isn’t just bouncing back from the pandemic — it’s booming:

  • 68.1 million visitors in 2023
  • $110.4 billion in tourism revenue
  • 42.8% increase in arrivals vs pre-Covid

In the UAE, tourism supported 833,000 jobs in 2022, and this number is expected to reach 1 million by 2030.

Dubai’s Still the Star of the Show

Dubai is leading the regional tourism charge with 7.15 million visitors in just the first four months of 2025, up 7% from last year. And once the unified visa kicks in, expect those numbers to skyrocket.

When Can You Use the Visa?

While there’s no official launch date yet, the visa has cleared its biggest hurdle, government approval. It’s now in the hands of the Ministry of Interior and key stakeholders.

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Middle East

UAE steps up airport emergency plan amid regional airspace closures

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As regional airspace disruptions affect flight paths across the Middle East, the UAE has swiftly activated an emergency operations plan to keep airport services running smoothly and ensure traveller safety.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) confirmed it has increased staffing across all UAE airports, deploying qualified teams around the clock. These efforts are part of a coordinated response to recent airspace closures in neighbouring countries that have forced airlines to reroute flights.

To minimise disruption, the ICP is working closely with strategic partners and airport operators to fast-track procedures, provide real-time updates to passengers, and ensure immigration and customs processes continue seamlessly.

Authorities have also rolled out support services for delayed travellers, including logistics assistance and access to information desks.

“The safety and service experience of passengers remain our top priority,” the ICP said in a statement, urging travellers to stay updated through official channels.

The UAE’s swift action underlines its commitment to operational readiness and reinforces its reputation as a global travel and logistics hub, even in the face of unexpected regional challenges.

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