Emirates’ next-generation Airbus A350 is now operating daily flights between Dubai and Muscat, making the Omani capital one of the first regional cities to welcome the airline’s latest wide-body aircraft.

Originally scheduled to begin on July 1, the launch was brought forward by a week to meet growing summer travel demand. The daily A350 service operates as flight EK866, departing Dubai at 2:15am and arriving in Muscat at 3:30am. The return leg, EK867, departs Muscat at 4:40am and lands in Dubai at 5:55am, timed to offer seamless onward connections to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

The new Airbus A350 features a three-class configuration with 312 seats: 32 lie-flat Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, and 259 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 setup. Passengers across all classes benefit from enhanced comfort features, including higher ceilings, wider aisles, upgraded cabin lighting, ergonomic seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, and Emirates’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system.

The move reinforces Emirates’ long-standing commitment to Oman and expands the A350 network across the region.

In response to increased summer travel, Emirates has also added two more weekly flights on the Dubai, Muscat route, operating on Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight EK862 departs Dubai at 7:55am and arrives in Muscat at 9:05am. The return flight, EK863, departs Muscat at 11:25am and arrives in Dubai at 12:30pm.

Royaloak Furniture, one of India’s largest organised furniture retail chains, has announced its entry into the UAE market as part of a broader international expansion strategy. With an operational history spanning over 15 years and a customer base exceeding 5 million, the brand has opened three stores in the UAE—located in RAK Mall (Ras Al Khaimah), Lulu Mall (Fujairah), and Silicon Central Mall (Dubai)—each spanning nearly 20,000 square feet.

The move comes at a time when the UAE’s furniture and home décor industry is witnessing steady growth, driven by a combination of increased real estate development, rising urbanisation, and a growing population of design-conscious consumers. According to industry estimates, the UAE furniture market was valued at approximately USD 5.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.18%.

Royaloak’s entry adds momentum to the region’s expanding mid-to-premium furniture segment. The brand is known for its “Country Collection” that showcases curated pieces inspired by American, Italian, and Malaysian designs. The company sources products from manufacturing hubs across Asia and Europe, aiming to balance aesthetic appeal with functional quality.

“Our UAE expansion is aligned with market demand and retail opportunity,” said Mathan Subramaniam, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Royaloak. “What sets us apart is a vertically integrated model—from sourcing to distribution—which ensures both product consistency and affordability. With our dedicated warehouse in the UAE, we are equipped to provide fast, reliable delivery and a localised shopping experience.”

The stores are designed to cater to a wide demographic—offering furniture for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, dining areas, and outdoor spaces, in addition to home décor and mattresses. Each outlet is supported by Arabic-speaking staff to ensure culturally attuned customer service.

In tandem with its retail footprint, Royaloak has launched a dedicated UAE e-commerce platform, while also partnering with Amazon UAE and Noon to strengthen its omnichannel presence. The brand’s UAE entry is not just an expansion strategy but also a commitment to job creation and customer-centric innovation in one of the Middle East’s most competitive retail landscapes. The company plans further expansion across the Emirates in the coming year

Several UAE-based airlines have issued disruptions in their service and route changes as a precautionary response following heightened regional tensions after Iran attacks Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar

UAE residents planning to travel this week are advised to double-check their flight status before heading to the airport, as ongoing regional tensions have led to disruptions across several major carriers.

Following Iran’s attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, airlines including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia have rerouted or cancelled select flights to ensure passenger safety amid restricted airspace and rising geopolitical risk.

What UAE Airlines Are Saying

Etihad Airways

• Cancelled flights on Tuesday (June 24) to/from Kuwait, Doha, and Dammam:
  • EY651/652 (Abu Dhabi – Kuwait)
  • EY663/664 (Abu Dhabi – Doha)
  • EY575/576 (Abu Dhabi – Dammam)
• Flights to Israel remain suspended until July 15.
• The airline confirmed it is using only approved airspace and warned that the situation is highly dynamic.
• Passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to cancelled destinations will not be accepted for travel.

Emirates Airline

• Has rerouted flights away from conflict zones.
• Temporary suspension of all flights to Iran and Iraq (Tehran, Baghdad, Basra) until June 30.
• Warns of potential delays due to longer routes and airspace congestion.

flydubai

• Flights on June 24 resumed, but delays remain possible.
• Temporary suspension of services to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, and St. Petersburg (Russia) until June 30.
• Passengers heading to these destinations via Dubai will not be accepted from their point of origin.

Air Arabia

• Advises passengers of possible disruptions due to airspace closures.
• Suspended services to Jordan (until June 25) and Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan (until June 30).

Dubai/Abu Dhabi Airport Updates

• Dubai Airports said operations across DXB and DWC have resumed, but some delays or cancellations may still occur. 
• Travellers heading to India are especially advised to confirm flight status in advance. “Due to regional airspace closures, flights from DXB and DWC – Al Maktoum International may be impacted. Please check with your airline for the latest updates before heading to the airport, especially for guests travelling to India,” Dubai Airports wrote on X.
• “
• Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi echoed similar advice: check with your airline before traveling.

Impact on International Flights

• flydubai, Etihad, Emirates, and Air Arabia have adjusted or halted flights across the region.
• IndiGo Airlines suspended flights to several Gulf cities including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Dammam, and Abu Dhabi until at least 10am Tuesday.
• Pakistan International Airlines has halted services to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Dubai.
• EgyptAir also cancelled Gulf-bound flights from Cairo.
• Air Canada extended its Toronto–Dubai flight suspension until August 4.

Additional Restrictions

• Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for Indian-operated aircraft, including military flights—until July 23, 2025.

Travel Tips for UAE Passengers

• Check flight status online or via airline apps before leaving home.
• Expect delays even if your flight is not cancelled—reroutings may extend travel time.
• If you are transiting through the UAE to a suspended destination, contact your airline immediately to explore alternative arrangements.