Etihad Airways is ramping up its operations to Pakistan, announcing a major boost in flight frequencies to Karachi starting October 1, 2025. Travellers can now book seats on the new four-times-daily Abu Dhabi–Karachi service, offering a total of 28 non-stop flights a week to the country’s financial capital.

The move is part of Etihad’s broader commitment to enhance connectivity across its global network, with improved departure and arrival timings to ensure smoother connections to key destinations in the UAE, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.

With this latest expansion, Etihad will operate 60 flights weekly between the UAE and Pakistan, reinforcing its position as a key player in regional travel.

This announcement also comes on the heels of Etihad’s recently unveiled new route to Peshawar, set to take off on September 29, further strengthening air links between Abu Dhabi and Pakistan’s major cities.

After a 13-year pause, Emirates is set to reconnect Dubai with Damascus, resuming flights to one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Starting July 16, UAE residents and international flyers will be able to explore the Syrian capital, considered one of the Middle East’s most storied capitals.

Why It Matters

Once a vibrant stop on ancient trade routes, Damascus has long drawn travellers with its rich culture, historic souks, and deep-rooted heritage. The return of regular flights reconnects Syria with the region and the world.

Emirates will initially operate three weekly flights to Damascus on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, adding a Saturday flight from August 2, and transitioning to daily flights from October 26. Whether you’re travelling to visit family, rediscover your heritage, or explore the city’s ancient sites, more options are now on the table.

A Homecoming for Many

The relaunch is especially significant for members of the Syrian diaspora living across the GCC, Europe, and the Americas. With easier access to Damascus, families can now reunite more easily, and travellers can reconnect with the history, food, and warmth of home.

“We’re proud to support Syria’s road ahead by restoring connectivity, opening trade routes, and offering travellers a way to return, rebuild, and reconnect,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

More Options with Flydubai

Travellers can also benefit from Emirates’ codeshare with flydubai, offering even more flexibility when booking trips to and from Damascus.

Whether you’re longing to wander through the Old City, taste Syria’s legendary cuisine, or experience the architectural grandeur of Umayyad mosques and hidden courtyards, this long-awaited reconnection offers a chance to rediscover a city rich in stories.

Staying hydrated just got easier, and greener, thanks to Ourwatr, a homegrown UAE startup that’s launching a nationwide free mineral water programme starting June 2025. It’s a first in the region: clean, refreshing mineral water made freely available across the country, delivered through a unique model that blends sustainability, community care, and social impact.

From metro stations and shopping malls to parks and government offices, thousands of chilled bottles of mineral water, sourced locally from Dibba, Fujairah, UAE, will soon be within everyone’s reach, every day. Ourwatr’s mission is simple: hydration is a right, not a privilege.

“At Ourwatr, we believe that drinking water should be accessible to all,” says Abhinav Murali, Co-founder. 

“That’s why we’re giving away premium mineral water for free, and every bottle supports communities in need. It’s hydration with heart, proudly made right here in the UAE.”

Stamp of UAE quality
All Ourwatr bottles carry the prestigious EQM (Emirates Quality Mark) certification, guaranteeing they meet strict UAE national and international quality standards. When you grab a bottle, you’re assured of top-quality water, safe, pure, refreshing and approved by the country’s standardisation authority.

Mission in a bottle

With temperatures rising across the UAE, especially during summer, access to clean drinking water is more important than ever for workers, families, children, and the elderly alike.

“In our desert climate, hydration isn’t just healthy; it’s life-saving,” adds co-founder Bharath Mohan.
“Each bottle we provide is a small act of kindness toward our community.”

Ourwatr is more than just a startup, it’s a mission in a bottle. Launched by three young, UAE-based entrepreneurs, the idea was sparked by a simple but powerful observation: access to free, convenient hydration isn’t always a given.

Wanting to change that, the trio built a business with heart at its core. The team is also in talks with various UAE charitable organisations and government agencies to expand its reach and impact. For every bottle distributed, a portion will be donated to local charities, turning everyday hydration into a meaningful act of giving.

A Model Built on Purpose and Sustainability
Ourwatr isn’t just about water, it’s about doing good. Instead of selling to consumers, the company partners with brands and organisations that cover the production and distribution costs. In return, sponsors co-brand the bottles, using them as a platform to share positive messages and shared values, while making a real difference.

“Sustainability isn’t just about less waste,  it’s about creating lasting, meaningful change,” explains Sharat Nair, Co-founder. 

The bottles are crafted from recyclable materials, aligning with the UAE’s zero-waste goals and green agenda.

Backing UAE Vision 2030
Ourwatr’s initiative supports the UAE’s Vision 2030 goals around health, sustainability, and quality of life. The startup is already collaborating with local authorities to expand water access and reach as many people as possible.

More than just water, Ourwatr is delivering hope, equality, and care, one bottle at a time.