Visa policy changes, flight updates, public holidays, and travel advisories - practical news for anyone planning a trip to UAE.
Emirates EK004 and EK006 from London Heathrow are cancelled on 9 September due to Heathrow ATC failure compounded by fresh Iran missile strikes in the region.
Source →
Al Ain is the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2026, the first city to hold both GCC and Arab tourism capital titles. Here's what the year-long programme covers.
Source →
Emirates, Etihad and Air France are cancelling UAE flights on 7–8 September as Anak Krakatau ash disrupts transit routing across Gulf carriers.
Source → Etihad Rail extends to Dubai from 30 September 2026. The 57-minute service links Al Yalayis station (Dubai Metro) to Abu Dhabi Central.
Source → EASA extended its Gulf conflict-zone bulletin through 30 September after hostilities resumed. Lufthansa, British Airways and others remain suspended from Dubai.
Source → UAE–India flight prices fall 49–64% from 13 September 2026 as the summer rush ends, with Bengaluru seeing the sharpest decline. Here's how to save.
Source → UAE flights face fresh disruptions on 28 August: flydubai cancels Riyadh services and major carriers extend suspensions to October and beyond.
Source →
Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism is covering UAE visa fees for Indian nationals booking qualifying 3-night hotel packages, until 31 October 2026.
Source → Dubai returned to year-on-year growth in July 2026 after a soft H1. Hotel occupancy hit 56.4%, while average daily rates fell 7% to Dh701.
Source →
Airlines are selling UAE tickets from 1 September as the EASA Gulf airspace bulletin expires 31 August 2026. Emirates and flydubai never suspended routes.
Source →
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum confirms its opening date as 11 December 2026 on Saadiyat Island, completing the emirate's Cultural District vision.
Source → KLM has extended its Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam suspension to 24 October, while Emirates and Etihad again pushed back Bahrain and Kuwait services.
Source →
UAE confirms 25 August 2026 as a public holiday for Mawlid Al-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad's Birthday). Expect government, bank and school closures nationwide.
Source → Dubai is offering UAE residents an AED 3,000 credit to nominate visiting friends and family, plus suspended hotel taxes, to rebuild visitor numbers.
Source →
Abu Dhabi opens teamLab Phenomena, a world-first immersive art museum, and plans a major natural history museum: two landmark additions in 2026.
Source → Thirteen airlines have suspended Dubai flights due to regional tensions, with some extending cancellations through October 2026. Check your booking.
Source →
Dubai has widened its freelance permit scheme to cover dozens more technology and creative categories. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
Source → Singapore Airlines, Air France, British Airways and Air Canada have extended their UAE flight suspensions to October 2026 as Middle East tensions continue.
Source → The UAE has extended its 14-day visit permit scheme to South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, and Vietnam, effective from July 1, 2026.
Source →
Iran fired missiles at the UAE on 12 July, triggering a shelter-in-place alert. Airports are open; the US Embassy issued a security alert 13 July.
Source →
At 1,934m, Jebel Jais in RAK runs 10–12°C cooler than Dubai in summer: plus the world's longest zipline and new hiking trails opening in 2026.
Source →
Etihad Rail launched its first UAE passenger train service on June 30, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in 1h45min, with fares starting from AED 55.
Source → flydubai, Emirates, and Akasa Air suspended 22 flights with 178 delays across UAE airports on 9 July as Middle East airspace instability intensified.
Source →
Dubai Summer Surprises launched on 3 July 2026 with deals, events, and entertainment across the emirate. Our guide to making the most of it.
Source →
UAE's visa amnesty for overstayers stranded during the February airspace closure expires 9 July 2026. Regularise your status or leave penalty-free now.
Source → The UK FCDO lifted its UAE travel advisory on 18 June 2026 after the US-Iran peace deal. Dubai airports, hotels and restaurants are operating normally.
Source → Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi's tourism authority are offering eligible visitors complimentary 15-day medical cover from July to December 2026.
Source → Six Senses The Palm Dubai opened on Palm Jumeirah's West Crescent, bringing 61 suites, a 60,000 sq ft spa and the ROKA restaurant to Dubai.
Source → UK FCDO lifted its UAE travel advisory on 18 June 2026 after the US–Iran peace deal. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights remain suspended.
Source → Australia's Smartraveller lowered its UAE travel advice from Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to Level 3 on 17 June 2026. Travel insurance is now available.
Source → Riyadh Air launched daily Boeing 787-9 service between Dubai and Riyadh from 18 June 2026, with four cabin classes and fares from $295 return.
Source → British Airways, Cathay Pacific and 14 more airlines suspended Dubai routes into summer 2026 amid Middle East conflict. Verify flight status before travel.
Source → The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs 11 June to 19 July. Dubai has a major fan zone, busier airports, and extra Emirates and Etihad flights to North America.
Source → UAE suspended new visas for DRC, Uganda and South Sudan nationals from 6 June 2026 over Ebola. Existing residents and transit passengers are unaffected.
Source → From 1 June 2026, Dubai adds 5% VAT to parking and Salik tolls, removes the visa overstay grace period, and introduces new beach rules. What changed.
Source →Explore more