Abu Dhabi Airport is expected to welcome over 22 million travelers by the end of 2023, as stated by Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Interim CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports. The inauguration of Terminal A solidifies Abu Dhabi’s position as a global gateway and strategic hub for tourism and trade. 

Winter is anticipated to see increased demand, coinciding with major events like the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and COP28, with around 2.29 million travelers expected in December alone. 

The airport has experienced a 49% growth in passenger numbers since October compared to the same period last year. Terminal A, designed for 45 million passengers annually, aims to reach full capacity soon, supporting Etihad Airways’ plan to triple passenger numbers by 2030. 

The top destinations include Mumbai, London, Kochi, Delhi, and Doha. Terminal A, with advanced facilities, will accommodate 79 planes at once and 11,000 passengers per hour, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas are both scheduled to address the COP28 UN climate talks in Dubai. Despite the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, both leaders are expected to speak on Friday, with Abbas in the room when Herzog addresses the conference. 

This marks a rare occasion for the leaders to engage, considering the historical tensions. More than 140 heads of state and government, including figures like Ukrainian President Zelensky, British Prime Minister Sunak, Turkey’s Erdogan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, the Emir of Qatar, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, will address COP28 on Thursday and Friday. 

Pope Francis has canceled his trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate conference on medical advice, despite recovering from the flu and lung inflammation, according to the Vatican. 

This marks the second time the Pope’s health has led to the cancellation of a foreign trip. Earlier, he had postponed a planned visit to Congo and South Sudan in 2022 due to knee inflammation. 

Although he had expressed the intention to attend the climate conference, doctors have advised against it, citing concerns about his respiratory tract inflammation. The Pope, turning 87 next month, previously had part of one lung removed in his youth.

Aster DM Healthcare’s $1.7 billion deal with a Fajr Capital-led consortium is set to create over 2,000 jobs in the coming years, according to Alisha Moopen, the managing director and group CEO of Aster GCC business. 

The agreement, valuing Aster’s GCC business, aims to take it private, allowing a focus on separate geographies and unlocking shareholder value. The expansion plans include entering the Saudi Arabian market with around 250 pharmacies and the development of the Medcare Royal Hospital in Al Qusais. 

The deal is expected to enhance Aster’s offerings, particularly in tertiary and quaternary fields such as oncology.

The weather in the UAE on November 29 is expected to be fair to partly cloudy, with temperatures decreasing as winter approaches. Humid conditions are anticipated tonight and Thursday morning, which could lead to the formation of mist in certain inland areas.

Winds during this period will be light to moderate, occasionally fresh, with a possibility of blowing dust, especially over the sea. Sea conditions are projected to range from moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.

Specific temperature forecasts for key cities indicate that Abu Dhabi is expected to reach 28℃, while Dubai is forecasted to have a temperature of 29℃ on November 29.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, led by UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, will introduce a unified Gulf tourist visa in the next two years.

This initiative, endorsed during the seventh GCC tourism ministers’ meeting in Oman, aims to facilitate travel across the six Gulf countries. 

The visa, set to be launched between 2024 and 2025, will promote economic synergy and provide access to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait under a single tourist visa. 

The move aligns with the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, enhancing regional and international tourism.

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), an emirate in the UAE, has been ranked as the fourth-best city globally for expatriates to live and work, according to a survey by InterNations. 

The Expat City Ranking 2023 report assessed RAK’s excellence in categories such as quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and the Expatriate Essentials Index. RAK earned the top spot in the Expatriate Essentials Index, highlighting its ease of starting for expats. 

The recognition reflects RAK’s commitment to providing an exceptional living and working environment, aligning with the strategic vision of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of RAK.

Umm Al Qaiwain authorities are offering a 50% discount on traffic fines incurred within the emirate in anticipation of the 52nd UAE Union Day celebrations. 

The initiative, implemented by the Umm Al Qaiwain Police General Command, applies to all types of traffic violations committed before November 1, 2023. 

The discount period runs from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024, excluding severe offenses such as dangerous driving, damage to property, running red lights, excessive speeding, and unauthorized vehicle modifications. 

The aim is to promote adherence to traffic regulations and encourage the settlement of outstanding fines.

Etihad Airways and Air France-KLM Group have announced a new partnership between their loyalty programs. Members of Flying Blue (Air France and KLM’s loyalty program) and Etihad Guest (Etihad Airways’ loyalty program) can now earn and redeem miles in either program when flying with Air France, KLM, or Etihad. Reciprocal benefits for elite members will be announced soon. 

The partnership, established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2023, expands connectivity to more than 60 new routes, covering destinations worldwide. 

The collaboration, effective immediately, follows Air France’s operation from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Abu Dhabi International Airport in October. Flying Blue Miles and Etihad Guest Miles can be redeemed for various experiences, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and products from respective reward shops. 

Air France currently operates daily flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Abu Dhabi, while Etihad operates daily flights to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Angus Clarke of Air France-KLM emphasizes the commitment to providing seamless travel experiences, while Arik De of Etihad looks forward to benefiting loyal guests from both airlines through this collaboration.

Dubai has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first city in the Middle East to secure a spot in the top 10 of the Global Power City Index (GPCI) 2023. The GPCI, issued by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies, ranks cities based on their attractiveness in terms of drawing people, capital, and enterprises.

In the 2023 index, Dubai rose three places to the eighth position overall. The city’s success underscores its global standing and aligns with the vision of its leadership. Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized Dubai’s commitment to sustained development and its role as a model for future cities.

The city maintained its fourth position in the Cultural Interaction parameter, surpassing several major cities. Dubai’s leadership across various indicators, including work flexibility and cleanliness, was highlighted in the index.

The recognition reflects Dubai’s excellence in economies, finance, business, tourism, and its ability to attract a diverse global population. Today, Dubai stands as one of the world’s most renowned cities in terms of economies, finance, business, tourism, and travel. It is also one of the most successful cities in attracting talent, with more than 200 nationalities from various backgrounds living together in a tolerant and welcoming society. Dubai is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.