Travel - Gulf Insider

7 days ago

Saudi Traffic: Turning right after triangle is running a red-light offense

The Saudi Traffic Department has clarified the regulations governing right turns at a red traffic light. The department emphasized that drivers must stop before making a turn to ensure the intersection is clear of vehicles and give way to oncoming traffic. If a triangular road marking is present at the corner of the intersection, the turn must be made before reaching it. Making the turn after the triangle is considered running a red light. Drivers must also remain in the right lane before turning if the road is a main road without a service road. The department explained that when a main road is accompanied by a service road, the turn must be made onto the service road, while remaining in the right lane before making the turn. Drivers are also prohibited from turning right when a flashing red arrow or a “No Right Turn” sign is displayed while the traffic light is red. Such a violation is considered running a red light. Running a red light is among the most serious traffic violations in Saudi Arabia due to the significant risk it poses to the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and other road users. The General Directorate of Traffic has […]

7 days ago

Saudi-Delhi Air India Express flight makes emergency landing

There was allegedly a bomb threat that’s being investigated An Air India Express flight from Saudi Arabia’s Dammam to New Delhi had to make an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport on Monday. Ahmedabad Police were quoted by Hindustan Times as saying that a crew member had found tissue in the lavatory mid-flight that said ‘bomb’, resulting in the emergency move. The 32 passengers aboard the flight were deboarded safely, said authorities. Security personnel are currently checking the aircraft for any explosive material. “One of our flights from Dammam to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad as a precaution and in keeping with security protocols after being notified of a specific bomb threat. The government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was alerted immediately, and all security procedures were promptly initiated. The flight landed, and all guests have been disembarked safely. The aircraft will be released for operations after necessary security checks are completed,” an Air India Express spokesperson told Hindustan Times.

1 week ago

Dubai stays on top: DXB named world’s busiest international airport for September

OAG data puts DXB ahead of Heathrow, Incheon, Amsterdam and Istanbul for September 2026 Dubai International Airport has retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international traffic in September, with airlines scheduling 4.34 million departing international seats for the month, according to aviation data provider OAG. The figure is equivalent to about 8.68 million seats across arriving and departing flights. Despite holding on to the top position, DXB’s scheduled international capacity is about 15 per cent lower than in September 2025. London Heathrow ranked second with 4.07 million international seats, followed by Seoul Incheon International Airport with 3.78 million. Amsterdam Schiphol was fourth with 3.69 million seats, while Istanbul Airport completed the top five with 3.59 million. Seoul recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among the leading international hubs, with capacity up 9 per cent. Amsterdam increased by 1 per cent and Istanbul by 2 per cent, while Heathrow was down 2 per cent from a year earlier. DXB also retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic in 2025, extending its run at the top to a 12th consecutive year. The airport handled a record 95.2 million passengers last year, up 3.1 per cent […]

2 weeks ago

Flying today? Here’s what’s happening with Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai

Most UAE flights are operating, but cancellations and delays continue on some routes Flight operations across the UAE have largely normalised, but passengers flying today should still check their individual flight status before leaving for the airport, as delays and cancellations continue on some services. Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai are operating most services, while several flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and other destinations have been disrupted. The return of Air France services to Dubai and Riyadh also signals a gradual restoration of international capacity, although several global carriers continue to keep some Middle East routes suspended. Another tense day is unfolding in the Middle East after a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, Oman. The strike caused a fire, which was extinguished, while all crew members were reported safe. Authorities are investigating and there has been no confirmed attribution for the attack. The incident comes as Qatar’s Prime Minister heads to Tehran for talks aimed at easing regional tensions and reviving diplomacy between Iran and the United States. Iran and Oman are also continuing work on an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, although no final deal has been reached. Several […]

2 weeks ago

Air Arabia launches third flight to Germany

Air Arabia will fly daily from Sharjah to Düsseldorf from December 16 Air Arabia is adding a third German destination to its network from the UAE, with daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Düsseldorf starting December 16, 2026. The new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Düsseldorf, giving UAE travellers another direct option for reaching Germany. The route will be operated using the airline’s Airbus A320neo aircraft. Düsseldorf will become Air Arabia’s third destination in Germany from Sharjah, joining Munich and Frankfurt. The move further expands the budget carrier’s European network, which includes destinations such as Milan Bergamo, Vienna, Athens, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw Chopin, London Gatwick, Rome, Katowice and Gdansk. Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, said the new service marked an important step in the airline’s European expansion. “The launch of our new daily service to Düsseldorf marks another important milestone in the expansion of our European network and further strengthens connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and Germany,” he said. Al Ali said the airline now serving three German destinations non-stop from Sharjah would give passengers greater choice. “With three destinations now served non-stop from Sharjah, we continue to enhance connectivity between the UAE and […]

2 weeks ago

Etihad flights to London, Kerala delayed due to operational reasons

Etihad Airways has issued flight advisories for two of its services on August 26, informing passengers of delays due to operational and technical issues. Flight EY061 from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on has been delayed due to operational reasons, the airline said on their website. Subsequently, the return flight EY062 from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) on August 26 will also be delayed, they said. The Abu Dhabi based carrier also informed that flight EY363 from Calicut International Airport (CCJ) to Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) on August 26 has been delayed due to a technical issue. Calicut, or Kozhikode, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. This might be of particular significance to Indian expats travelling back home on Onam, one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Kerala. Passengers booked on these flights have been advised to check if their contact details are up to date by visiting the ‘Manage your booking’ section online. This will ensure we the airline can update the traveller via SMS or email with the latest flight information. If a passenger needs to […]

2 weeks ago

Op-Ed: How Dilijan is Becoming Armenia’s Regional Tourism Centre

On any given day, about five direct flights land in Yerevan, Armenia, from Gulf countries: Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and Doha in Qatar, with Kuwait joining from October onward. Travellers from other Gulf capitals, including Riyadh, Manama, and Muscat, can connect through Dubai or Doha. From anywhere in the Gulf, Armenia is close. A direct flight takes around three hours, and seven to eight hours with a connection, which is closer than many of the destinations Gulf families travel to for the summer. Access is also straightforward. Citizens of all six Gulf states can enter without a visa, while eligible residents holding a Gulf residency permit valid for at least six months can also benefit from visa-free entry. They can stay for up to 180 days a year, and the Republic of Armenia has extended this policy until July 2027. That gives Armenia a rare advantage. Gulf summer temperatures average above 40°C and regularly pass 50°C. The mountains north of Yerevan can be in the low 20s during summer, and Dilijan is only around 90 minutes from the capital. Armenia’s tourism strategy for 2026-2030, approved this January, identifies the UAE among Armenia’s target markets […]

2 weeks ago

77 baggage scanners, 24-hour teams: Dubai prepares for the summer return rush

Dubai’s air entry points are supported by 77 machines for baggage screening Dubai Customs has deployed a comprehensive operational plan featuring round-the-clock staffing, advanced screening technology, and digital declaration tools to manage the influx of returning residents and international visitors following the summer break. The plan focuses on ramping up field and operational teams, speeding up customs procedures and deploying advanced technology to keep passengers moving efficiently. It reflects Dubai’s ability to manage high-volume travel periods while maintaining the highest standards of customs security and community protection. The plan includes increasing staffing levels in arrival halls, flexibly deploying personnel based on flight schedules and peak periods, reinforcing high-traffic areas and enhancing the technical performance of screening equipment. These measures enable teams to handle passenger and baggage flows efficiently, reducing the time between arrival and completion of customs procedures. Customs teams operate around the clock at Dubai’s air entry points, supported by an advanced technology infrastructure that includes 77 baggage screening machines: 58 for checked and large baggage and 19 for carry-on luggage, in addition to supporting inspection equipment. The system helps accelerate baggage screening and improve detection accuracy, working alongside the expertise of customs inspectors, who assess indicators of potential […]

3 weeks ago

150 Qatar Airways widebody aircraft now have free Wi-Fi

More than half of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787 fleet is now equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi Qatar Airways is on track to complete its Starlink rollout across its Boeing 787 fleet by the end of 2026, after equipping more than half of its aircraft with the high-speed satellite Wi-Fi service. The Doha-based airline has now fitted 150 widebody aircraft with Starlink, including the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9. It has also completed the rollout across its Boeing 787-8 fleet in seven months. Qatar Airways said it now operates the world’s first and largest Starlink-equipped fleets of the Boeing 777, Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. The airline has previously completed Starlink installations across its Boeing 777 fleet in nine months and its Airbus A350 fleet in eight months. The Boeing 787 programme is now more than 83 per cent complete, with the airline still targeting completion by the end of 2026. Starlink-equipped aircraft can provide Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps, allowing passengers to work, communicate, stream content or browse the internet while in the air. Qatar Airways was the first airline to offer Starlink on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes across six continents. The service is available free of charge, with […]

3 weeks ago

Air Arabia expands Germany network with new daily flights from Sharjah from December

The daily service starts December 15, giving UAE travellers another direct Germany option UAE travellers will get another direct option to Germany from December, with Air Arabia launching daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Frankfurt from December 15, 2026. The new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Frankfurt Airport every day, giving passengers another direct link between the UAE and Germany while expanding the low-cost carrier’s European network. Frankfurt becomes Air Arabia’s second destination in Germany after Munich. The route will be operated using an Airbus A320neo, with Air Arabia positioning the service around greater choice and affordable connectivity for passengers travelling between the two countries. The addition gives passengers travelling from Sharjah direct access to one of Germany’s major commercial, financial and tourism centres, while travellers originating in Germany will also be able to connect through Sharjah to destinations across Air Arabia’s network. Frankfurt joins an expanding list of European destinations served by Air Arabia from Sharjah, including Milan Bergamo, Munich, Vienna, Athens, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw Chopin, London Gatwick and Rome. Bookings for the new Sharjah-Frankfurt service are now open through Air Arabia’s website, call centre and travel agencies.

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Saudi Traffic: Turning right after triangle is running a red-light offense

Saudi-Delhi Air India Express flight makes emergency landing

Dubai stays on top: DXB named world’s busiest international airport for September

Flying today? Here’s what’s happening with Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai

Air Arabia launches third flight to Germany

Etihad flights to London, Kerala delayed due to operational reasons

Op-Ed: How Dilijan is Becoming Armenia’s Regional Tourism Centre

77 baggage scanners, 24-hour teams: Dubai prepares for the summer return rush

150 Qatar Airways widebody aircraft now have free Wi-Fi

Air Arabia expands Germany network with new daily flights from Sharjah from December

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