Connect with us

News

Oman opens up with Israel and Vatican in wave of reforms

Published

on

Spread the love

Oman is opening up its borders and minds for some welcome change, given the developments since yesterday. Thursday proved to be a red-letter day for the EMEA region on two fronts with Oman announcing some changes to the hitherto conventions.

The Vatican and Oman have established diplomatic relations, a joint statement said, three months after a visit by Pope Francis to the Gulf.

Earlier in the day, the nation’s flying restrictions for Israel airlines were removed to free up the air corridor for the latter’s smooth passage to the east.

While Israel has thanked Oman for taking the flight to freedom, the Sultanate has initiated the discourse with the church for its largely expatriate population.

There are currently 12 Catholic priests working in four parishes in Oman and the local population includes a “significant number of foreign workers,” the joint statement said.

Oman’s parishes are part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which is based in Abu Dhabi. Most of the country’s Catholics are foreign workers from elsewhere in the Middle East and the Philippines, India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Oman’s civil aviation authority said the Sultanate’s airspace will be open for all carriers that meet the authority’s requirements for overflying – effectively ending the ban on El Al, Israir and Arkia, Israel’s three airlines. The move could cut Israeli carriers’ flight times to Asia by up to three hours.

El Al shared a graphic on social media to give an idea on the flight route pre- and post-restrictions over the airspace above Oman.

When the airline was banned from Saudi airspace, El Al flights from Tel Aviv to Mumbai took seven hours 45 minutes. That flight time was then slashed to five hours 15 minutes, before the route was put on hold. As the announcement was made, El Al swiftly posted a map of their old and new routes to Southeast Asia on Instagram.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a day of great news for Israeli aviation” in a statement yesterday.

He added: “The Far East is not so far away and the skies are no longer the limit. We have worked to open the airspace, first over Saudi Arabia, and from 2018 when I visited Oman, to add Oman as well, so that we can fly directly to India and on to Australia. This was achieved today, after considerable effort, including in recent months. Here is good news – Israel is opening up to the east on an unprecedented scale.”

Appreciation for the gesture has started coming in from all parts of the world, including the United States. Earlier this month, El Al announced it is starting a frequent-flier partnership with UAE carrier Etihad Airways. The two had started code-sharing on flights in 2021.

News

Parkonic introduces new paid parking areas in Dubai Silicon Oasis

Published

on

Spread the love

Motorists visiting Dubai Silicon Oasis will notice a major change in parking operations as new Parkonic-managed on-street parking zones officially come into effect from June 1.

The latest expansion covers several areas surrounding Dubai Silicon Oasis, including locations near University Residence buildings, and forms part of Dubai’s broader transition towards a fully digital parking ecosystem.

Unlike traditional parking systems that rely on tickets, parking meters or pay-and-display machines, the new setup uses automatic number plate recognition technology to identify vehicles and process payments seamlessly. The system is designed to offer a faster and more convenient experience for drivers while supporting Dubai’s smart city ambitions.

Under the Parkonic model, parking charges can be automatically deducted through a vehicle owner’s Salik account, eliminating the need for manual payments. Drivers who prefer an alternative method can also pay via SMS by following the instructions displayed on parking signs within the designated zones.

As part of the rollout, authorities have confirmed that cash payments, parking meters and QR code transactions will no longer be accepted in the newly activated areas.

Parking fees will vary depending on the time of day. Motorists will be charged Dh4 per hour from midnight until 4pm, while peak-hour rates will increase to Dh6 per hour between 4pm and 8pm. Charges will then return to Dh4 per hour from 8pm until midnight.

The expansion reflects Dubai’s ongoing investment in smart mobility solutions aimed at simplifying everyday services for residents and visitors. By integrating parking payments with existing digital infrastructure such as Salik, authorities hope to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency and create a more seamless urban mobility experience.

Drivers using the new zones are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated payment process and ensure their Salik account details are active and up to date to avoid potential penalties.

For motorists requiring assistance, Parkonic has made customer support available through its dedicated helpline and online support channels.

The latest rollout marks another step in Dubai’s journey towards a smarter, more connected transport network, where technology continues to replace traditional systems and enhance convenience for road users across the emirate.

Continue Reading

News

Dubai exit to Maliha Road closed nightly for 10 days: What drivers need to know

Published

on

Spread the love

Drivers travelling through Dubai during late-night hours are advised to plan after authorities announced a temporary closure of the exit leading to Maliha Road as part of ongoing Etihad Rail infrastructure development works.

The closure will be in effect daily from midnight until 6am, beginning on June 1 and continuing through June 10. During this period, the affected exit will remain inaccessible for 6 hours each night while construction work is underway.

Officials said the temporary measure is necessary to support progress on the Etihad Rail project, one of the UAE’s most significant transport infrastructure initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity across the country.

Motorists who regularly use the route are encouraged to identify alternative roads and allow extra travel time, particularly during the overnight closure window. Traffic diversions and alternative access routes are expected to help minimise disruption for road users.

Authorities have urged drivers to follow road signs, adhere to traffic guidance and remain updated on any changes related to the works.

The temporary closure forms part of broader efforts to advance the UAE’s transport network and support future mobility projects that will improve travel efficiency and connectivity nationwide.

Officials also thanked motorists for their patience and cooperation during the construction period, while apologising for any inconvenience caused as work continues on the major infrastructure project.

Continue Reading

Announcements

UAE fuel prices for June announced: Petrol edges closer to Dh4 a litre

Published

on

Spread the love

The UAE announced revised fuel prices for June 2026, with motorists set to pay significantly more for petrol while diesel costs decline compared to the previous month.

The latest adjustment is particularly notable as it marks the country’s first monthly fuel pricing update since formally leaving both OPEC and OPEC+ earlier this year.

Beginning June 1, Super 98 petrol will be priced at Dh3.95 per litre, up from Dh3.66 in May. Special 95 will rise to Dh3.83 per litre from Dh3.55, while E-Plus 91 will increase from Dh3.48 to Dh3.76 per litre.

In contrast, diesel users will benefit from a reduction, with prices falling from Dh4.69 per litre in May to Dh4.33 in June.

The latest increase extends a three-month upward trend in petrol prices, reflecting ongoing volatility in global energy markets and fluctuations in crude oil prices.

Impact on residents

For households across the UAE, fuel price movements remain a key economic indicator, influencing transportation costs, daily commuting expenses and overall household budgets. Rising petrol prices can have a noticeable impact on monthly spending, particularly for residents who rely heavily on private vehicles.

The June pricing announcement comes just weeks after the UAE officially ended its six-decade membership in OPEC and OPEC+, a move that took effect on May 1, 2026.

The revised prices will come into effect from June1, 2026.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/