UAE's Air Arabia carrier wins bid to operate new low-cost airline, Saudi civil aviation authority says
The new airline would operate domestic and international flights from King Fahd international airport in Dammam, the authority said. (Reporting by Jaidaa Taha and Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Toby Chopra)
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Saudi Arabia announces new property ownership law
Saudi Arabia has published the full details of its property ownership law for non-Saudis in the official gazette Umm Al-Qura on Friday, following Cabinet approval earlier this month. The law will take effect 180 days from publication and replaces previous foreign property ownership legislation issued under Royal Decree No. M/15 in 2000, the Saudi Gazette reported. The legislation grants non-Saudis — including individuals, companies, and non-profit entities — the right to own property or obtain other real rights over real estate within designated geographic zones to be determined by the Cabinet. Non-Saudis can own property in Saudi Arabia under new law published in official gazette These rights include usufruct (beneficial use), leaseholds, and other real estate interests, but will be subject to controls and restrictions based on location, property type, and usage. Ownership remains prohibited in certain locations and regions, particularly in Makkah and Madinah, except under conditions for individual Muslim owners. The law states that all real estate rights that were legally established for non-Saudis prior to the regulation taking effect will be preserved. The Council of Ministers — upon a proposal by the Real Estate General Authority and with the approval of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs — will define the allowable zones for foreign ownership and set upper limits on ownership percentages and durations for usufruct rights. Foreign individuals legally residing in Saudi Arabia may own one residential property outside restricted areas for personal housing purposes. This provision does not apply to Makkah and Madinah. The regulation includes provisions for corporate ownership. Non-listed companies with foreign shareholders, as well as investment funds and licensed special-purpose entities, will be permitted to acquire real estate throughout the Kingdom, including in Makkah and Madinah, provided the ownership supports operational needs or employee housing. Listed companies and investment vehicles may also acquire property in line with Saudi financial market regulations. Diplomatic missions and international organisations can own premises for official use and residence of their representatives, subject to Foreign Ministry approval and reciprocity conditions. Non-Saudi entities must register with the competent authority before acquiring property. Ownership or real rights become valid only after formal registration in the national real estate registry. The law introduces a real estate transfer fee of up to 5 per cent for transactions involving non-Saudis. Sanctions for violations include fines up to SAR10 million and, in cases such as falsified information, the forced sale of the property with proceeds remitted to the state after deductions. A committee under the Real Estate General Authority will be formed to investigate violations and impose penalties. Decisions of this committee can be appealed to the administrative courts within 60 days. The law repeals a prior rule that prohibited GCC citizens from owning property in Makkah and Madinah, standardising rules for all non-Saudi entities under a single framework. The executive regulations, which will detail implementation mechanisms and specify geographic boundaries and conditions, are expected to be issued within six months.
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Foreigners owning property in Saudi: The rules you need to know
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The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Al Maqta'a Museum opens the gates to Abu Dhabi's humble beginnings
Tucked within the conserved heart of the Maqta Conservation Area, Al Maqta'a Museum, housed in the lovingly restored Al Maqta'a Fort, offers a glimpse into Abu Dhabi's early days. It is a reconstruction of the former customs house and police headquarters built in the late 1950s, alongside a causeway linking Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, where officials monitored entry and traffic. It operated as such until 1971, when the unification of the UAE took place, since goods were then no longer required to be checked at this border. It reopened as a small, but information-packed, interactive museum celebrating its socio-cultural and historic importance in April 2025, as a joint project between Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Police. Why go there? This museum might be small, but its story is powerful. As part of Al Maqta Conservation Area, alongside the 18th-century Maqta'a Tower – constructed to strengthen the then-settlement's defences – and the original causeway from the 1950s, it tells the story of Abu Dhabi's transformation from a humble fishing settlement into a thriving modern metropolis. The tower still stands in the middle of the naturally formed waterway (the khor), conserved by DCT – Abu Dhabi to protect it from damage caused by repeated exposure to the marine environment. What you'll see The exhibit begins with a tour of Al Maqta'a Tower, which once guarded the shallow waters of the khor, guarding entry to Abu Dhabi Island. You'll also learn about other fortifications for defence, such as Al Hosn Tower. Moving into the 1950s-era customs house and police station, visitors encounter rugged gypsum‑and‑coral‑stone architecture and interactive zones that emphasise the fort's role as the gateway to the emirate. Highlights include vintage police vehicles, period uniforms and archival documentation that chart Abu Dhabi Police's development through time. A 1968 Toyota FJ43 Soft Top also sits in the museum, the same model of car once used for public transport in Abu Dhabi. This site sits within a broader heritage precinct along the old Maqta'a crossing, where you'll also find buildings and structures of the pre-oil and post-oil periods. Consider pairing your visit with a walk around the tower and nearby conservation structures. Replicas of the bridge and tower make for picturesque photo stops. Children's programming and live police shows, as well as seasonal activations, are also planned for the museum in coming months. Star attraction Right now, a temporary exhibition on Umm an-Nar sits beyond the lovely little gift shop, with an interactive screen that allows you to learn all about the archaeological site and what has been uncovered there in recent years. There's a map of a cemetery and you can click on each grave to learn more about the people buried there. It's fascinating. There's also a medieval Byzantine coin, the first to be found in Eastern Arabia, that was discovered during the tower's restoration by DCT Abu Dhabi – a significant find. What to know before you go This is a great spot for families, with a playground outside and the interactive exhibits are sure to keep older children from getting bored. Visitors are also handed a 'passport' to take around the exhibits, so you can stop at five stations to stamp the document as you go around. It's not an overly flashy space, but rich in narrative, and allows visitors to skim through the exhibits or dive deeper for further information if they want. You'll need at least an hour if you'd like to leisurely wander through and read everything. It's also worth grabbing a coffee and pastry or bite to eat at the restaurant, La Petite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and lovely views of the khor beyond. Ticket price and location
