Iran's western and central airspace closed to international flights, ministry says
Internal and external flight cancellations in the northern, southern and western parts of the country have been extended until Thursday 14:00 local time, SNN added.
(Reporting by Elwely Elwelly Editing by Ros Russell)
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Emirates 24/7
an hour ago
- Emirates 24/7
Emirates makes changes to safety rules for customer usage of power banks onboard
Using any kind of power bank is prohibited onboard Emirates' flights, effective from the 1October 2025. A power bank is a portable, rechargeable device primarily designed to provide power to other electronic devices such smart phones, tablets, laptops and cameras. Emirates customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions listed below, but the power banks may not be used while in the aircraft cabin – neither to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircrafts' power source. Emirates' new regulations include: Emirates customers may carry one power bank that is under 100 Watt Hours. Power banks may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard. Charging a power bank using the aircraft's power supply is not permitted. All power banks accepted for transport must have capacity rating information available. Power banks may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you. Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage (existing rule). Why is Emirates making this change? After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry. Power banks primarily utilize lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, and their function is as a portable battery pack designed to recharge devices on the go. The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges. If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may result in 'thermal runaway.' Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, leading to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase. This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases. Most phones and sophisticated lithium battery-powered devices have an internal trickle system which slowly adds current into the battery to prevent overcharging, but many basic power banks may not have this safeguard, increasing the risk. All power banks are subject to the new rules onboard Emirates. Emirates new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire. Safety is one of Emirates' core values, and a cornerstone of all operations and practices. Emirates is committed to maintaining and improving levels of safety on an ongoing basis, safeguarding customers and staff at all times.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Forbes Middle East reveals the region's top travel & tourism leaders
Meet The 101 Leaders Driving The Middle East's Tourism Transformation Emiratis lead with 15 entries, followed by 14 Saudis and nine British executives. The top three leaders are from Emirates Airline & Group, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Qatar Airways Group. U.A.E.-based listees dominate with 49 entries, followed by 24 in Saudi Arabia and seven in Egypt. Dubai, U.A.E.: Forbes Middle East has released the 2025 edition of its signature list spotlighting the Middle East's Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders, highlighting the individuals spearheading the region's most ambitious destinations, hotels, airlines, airports, and tourism initiatives. This year's ranking reflects the powerful momentum building across the sector, driven by bold vision, government strategy, and record-breaking investments. To curate the list, Forbes Middle East evaluated leaders across the public and private sectors based on the scale of their organizations—measured by revenues, asset values, hotel keys, and number of passengers—as well as their experience, achievements, and overall impact on the tourism landscape. All ranked individuals are based in the MENA region. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, tops the 2025 list for the fourth consecutive year. In the 2024/25 financial year, the group recorded $39.6 billion in revenues—a 6% increase compared to the previous year and holds $49.7 billion in assets. He is followed by Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group CEO of Qatar Airways Group, who round off the top three. Executives on this year's list represent 10 countries across the region. The U.A.E. is home to 49 leaders, followed by 24 in Saudi Arabia, seven in Egypt, and five in Oman. Jordan and Morocco each have four representatives, while Qatar and Bahrain have three each. Kuwait and Tunisia are represented by one leader each: Kuwait Airways and the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT), respectively. Among the 101 listees, 15 are Emiratis, 14 are Saudis, and nine are British, making up the top three nationalities. Tourism leaders across the region have helped usher in a new era of historic firsts. In June 2025, Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas, led the company to complete a $1.1 billion IPO, becoming the first airline to list on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul). In April 2024, Fernando Eiroa, CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment, launched the world's first Real Madrid-themed park, Real Madrid World. In May 2025, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, announced the development of the region's first Disney theme park and resort in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company; marking the seventh Disney resort globally. In Morocco, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, oversaw the creation of the country's first tourism project bank, featuring 200 investment-ready templates. Top 10 Travel & Tourism Leaders In The Middle East 2025 1. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Country: U.A.E. Nationality: Emirati Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group 2. Fahd Hamidaddin Country: Saudi Arabia Nationality: Saudi CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) 3. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer Country: Qatar Nationality: Qatari Group CEO, Qatar Airways Group 4. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry Country: U.A.E. Nationality: Emirati Director General for Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) 5. Fatim-Zahra Ammor Country: Morocco Nationality: Moroccan Chair, MNTO; SMIT 6. Raed bin Hassan Alidrissi Country: Saudi Arabia Nationality: Saudi CEO, MATARAT Holding 7. Hesham Al Qassim Country: U.A.E. Nationality: Emirati CEO, Wasl Group 8. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri Country: U.A.E. Nationality: Emirati Managing Director & Group CEO, ADNEC Group 9. Mohamed Abdallah Al Zaabi Country: U.A.E. Nationality: Emirati Group CEO, Miral 10. Paul Griffiths Country: U.A.E. Nationality: British CEO, Dubai Airports Click here for the complete list of The Middle East's Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders 2025. About Forbes Middle East Forbes Middle East is a licensed edition of Forbes for the Arab world, championing inspiring business journalism and entrepreneurial capitalism. Its online and social platforms break news covering billionaires, business, investment, technology, economy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and luxury lifestyles. The monthly magazine, featuring in-depth interviews with the Middle East's most influential and innovative leaders, is published in print in English and Arabic, with digital versions available to both regional and global audiences online. Forbes Middle East extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world, conducting its own comprehensive research to publish original lists that adhere to strict methodologies. Its content attracts business leaders, investors, active and potential entrepreneurs, and a wide audience of ambitious and influential executives. Media contact: Basma Aly Sadek: basma@
Gulf Business
2 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Kuwait opens tourist visa-on-arrival to all GCC residents
Image: Getty Images Kuwait has lifted its long-standing restrictions on tourist visas for foreigners living in other Gulf states. Under a ministerial decision issued Sunday by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, any foreign national holding a valid Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residency for at least six months can now receive a tourist visa upon arrival. The new regulations, published in the official gazette The decision repeals a 2008 rule that limited visa-on-arrival eligibility to specific professions such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, judges, university professors, and business executives, while also barring entry to those with travel documents other than passports. Previously, foreign residents in GCC states who did not meet these criteria — including service workers and their families — were excluded from obtaining a tourist visa at the border. Read: With the change, foreign residents across the GCC meeting the six-month residency requirement can now travel more easily to Kuwait for tourism purposes.
