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Dubai’s aviation sector rebounds from pandemic with airshow

Published

5 years ago

November 13, 2021

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Dubai Airshow 2021, one of the world’s mega aviation events, is set to start from November 14 to 18.

The event will have more than 1,200 exhibitors from 148 countries, displaying over 160 aircraft. More than 250 industry experts are also participating in different conferences at the event to share insights and trends across nine areas of expertise including cargo, sustainability, technology and space.

More than 80,000 people are expected to visit the Dubai Airshow, which is taking place at its purpose-built venue – Dubai Airshow Site – at the Dubai World Central airport.

The air show comes as this mega city’s aviation sector bounces back from the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, Dubai’s two major carriers, Emirates and flydubai slowly restored their networks as key markets opened for travel.

During a media briefing earlier this month, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s President and Emirates’ Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum called the Dubai Airshow a testament to the emirate’s response to the pandemic.

He told the media that Dubai’s response to the pandemic was focused on protecting the health and wellbeing of the people as a top priority while minimising the impact of the crisis on the nation’s economy.

The biennial Dubai Airshow is a proof that the city is one of the world’s largest aviation hubs. Around 60 years ago, Dubai’s economy was mostly supported by pearling and fishing, and around 20,000 people used to live there. Until 1958, Dubai had no airport and a runway, which was built in 1962, was just a compacted salt bed, with no tar cover.

Now, Dubai is a busy metropolis with towering skyscrapers and a population of over 3.5 million. Defying the impact of the pandemic, its airport recently reclaimed the top spot as the world’s busiest in terms of capacity.

The resurgence of the city’s aviation sector is reflected in Emirates’ latest financial results. The company registered an 81 per cent rise in its revenue to Dh24.7 billion in the last two fiscal quarters this year. The airline carried 6.1 million passengers between April 1 and September 30, 2021, registering 319 per cent increase from the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the Dubai International Airport has been seeing an influx of travellers as the emirate enters its peak tourist season and hosts high-profile events such as the Expo 2020 Dubai and ICC T20 World Cup. During the first half of 2021, the airport registered 10.6 million passengers with its operators claiming a robust growth in the second half.

Dubai Airshow 2021 will be the largest aerospace trade event to be held globally since the beginning of the pandemic, with the cancellation of European shows Farnborough and Le Bourget in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

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Salik’s next move: Smart parking coming to Dubai Silicon Oasis, DAFZ and Dubai CommerCity

Published

2 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Salik is taking another step beyond toll collection, announcing plans to introduce smart parking and vehicle access systems across three of Dubai’s major economic zones.

Under a new agreement with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), the company will explore parking optimisation and access control solutions covering more than 21,000 parking spaces at Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.

The proposed systems are designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, prevent misuse of parking spaces and make it easier for businesses, employees and visitors to move around the free zones.

The partnership marks the launch of a new business vertical for Salik as it continues expanding beyond its traditional road toll operations into wider mobility and digital transport services.

What will change?

The companies plan to integrate their technology platforms to create a connected parking and vehicle access system across the three zones.

Planned features include:

Smart parking management
Automated vehicle access control
Improved traffic flow within free zones
Better use of available parking spaces
Unified operating standards across all three locations

Which areas are covered?

The project will span:

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai CommerCity

Together, the three locations offer more than 21,000 parking spaces serving businesses, residents, investors and visitors.

No timeline has yet been announced for when the new systems will be rolled out.

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New UAE rule: Emirates ID renewal now allowed one year before expiry

Published

3 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The UAE has doubled the early renewal period for Emirates ID cards, allowing renewals up to 12 months before expiry under a new decision by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Effective July 14, the change applies to UAE nationals for now.

Renew passport and Emirates ID together

The extended renewal window means citizens whose passport and Emirates ID expire around the same time can now renew both documents in a single transaction, reducing paperwork and saving time.

ICP said the initiative forms part of its strategy to simplify government services, improve customer experience and provide greater flexibility through digital services.

Supporting zero government bureaucracy

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, said the decision reflects the UAE’s commitment to delivering proactive government services while giving citizens more flexibility to complete transactions at a time that suits them.

He added that the initiative supports the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by reducing procedural steps, improving service integration and using advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to streamline the customer journey.

The authority said the new policy is part of its wider effort to deliver integrated, digital-first government services while strengthening the UAE’s position as a global leader in identity and public service innovation.

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Dubai warns media against publishing false news after Downtown explosion claim

Published

3 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai authorities have warned media organisations against publishing false or unverified reports after claims circulated that explosions had been heard in Downtown Dubai.

In a statement posted on X, the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) said the emirate would take the necessary legal measures against outlets that publish inaccurate information, in line with local and federal laws.

The warning came after a brief Reuters report cited witnesses claiming they had heard booms in Downtown Dubai on Thursday. The report did not identify the source of the sounds or confirm that any incident had taken place.

The Dubai Media Office rejected the claims, stating that no explosions had occurred in the Downtown area and describing the report as false.

Authorities also urged media organisations and the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid sharing rumours or unverified reports that could cause unnecessary confusion.

The statement reinforces Dubai’s long-standing approach to combating misinformation, particularly during fast-moving events, with authorities stressing the importance of accurate reporting and verification before publication.