
UAE travel: Air Arabia offers more flights to Georgia, Indonesia
The airline now operates non-stop flights between Zayed International Airport and Baku's Heydar Aliyev International Airport with a frequency of six weekly flights.
The new schedule now includes flights every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, providing more flexibility for travellers exploring the vibrant city.
Starting August 7, flights to Tbilisi International Airport will also increase to eight weekly flights, with double daily service on Thursdays, further enhancing seamless connectivity between Abu Dhabi and the Georgian capital.
Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, said, 'The increased frequencies to both Baku and Tbilisi reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening our regional network while delivering greater convenience, flexibility, and value to our customers. These two vibrant cities remain popular among UAE residents and visitors alike. The enhanced schedules will not only reinforce travel and tourism ties but also offer a more seamless and accessible travel experience'.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to expand its growing route network from the UAE capital. The airline recently launched new routes to Almaty in Kazakhstan and Yerevan in Armenia.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
an hour ago
- Gulf Today
UAE to finalise ‘Eurasian Economic Union' trade agreements by year-end
Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, confirmed that the UAE, under the vision and directives of its wise leadership, continues to take firm steps toward strengthening its international partnerships and solidifying its role as a global hub for trade and investment. He noted that today's signing of a new Services and Investment Trade Agreement with the Russian Federation, complements the previously signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a bloc that includes Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus. Commenting on the broader negotiation landscape with the remaining EAEU member states, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade noted, 'This marks the second services and investment agreement following the earlier one with Belarus. The third agreement, with Armenia, has also been finalised. We expect to conclude negotiations with both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the near future.' Dr Al Zeyoudi said that he looks forward to finalising all five bilateral services and investment agreements with EAEU members before the end of this year, thereby reinforcing the UAE's comprehensive economic engagement with the Eurasian bloc. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr Al Zeyoudi noted that the second-of-its-kind agreement with Russia reflects the UAE's expanding economic footprint in the EAEU region and focuses on liberalising and supporting strategic sectors, including financial and fintech services, business consulting, hospitality, logistics, renewable energy, and infrastructure development. These agreements aim to enhance investment flows and support the economic diversification strategies of both the UAE and its partner nations. He noted that UAE-Russia relations are witnessing significant growth, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching about $11.5 billion in 2024, marking an increase of nearly 5% compared to the previous year. Data for the first half of the current year showed exceptional growth of up to 75% compared to the same period last year, driven by the overall expansion of economic relations. He noted that the agreement with Russia builds on last month's signing of the EAEU-wide CEPA, which provides for the liberalisation of 95% of total trade volume and 85% of tariff lines between the UAE and the Eurasian bloc. Dr Al Zeyoudi highlighted the strategic importance of Eurasia as a priority trade expansion zone, noting its population of over 200 million people. He added that bilateral trade with the Eurasian bloc grew by 27% in 2024, reaching nearly $30 billion, a testament to the UAE's forward-looking policy of economic openness and global integration. In July, Andrey Slepnev, Minister in charge of Trade at the Eurasian Economic Commission, affirmed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) represents a strategic milestone in deepening economic cooperation between the two sides. He noted that the agreement will support trade diversification efforts and enhance mutual investment flows. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Slepnev said, 'The UAE is one of the most prominent trading partners for EAEU countries, with its share in the Union's total foreign trade rising to two percent, placing it among the top ten global trading partners for the Eurasian Union.' He pointed out that the Union's exports to the UAE have quadrupled over the past two years, while Emirati exports to Union markets have increased by more than 50 per cent. He underlined that this rapid growth reflects the strength of economic ties between the two sides. He stated that the UAE, supported by this momentum, has become a key trade hub for all EAEU countries, surpassing major international partners such as Japan, Brazil, Egypt and Vietnam. He added, 'The CEPA aims to reinforce this growth by removing customs restrictions and expanding the scope of exchanged goods. It was agreed to reduce customs duties on more than 85 percent of goods, which will lower customs protection rates on Union products in the Emirati market from 5 percent to 0.6 percent, and on Emirati products in Union markets from 5.9 per cent to 1.5 per cent.' Slepnev clarified that the list of goods benefiting from the agreement includes, on the Union's side, metal products such as steel and aluminium, petrochemicals, consumer goods, means of transport and wooden products, in addition to processed agricultural goods including dairy products, confectionery and canned foods. He continued, 'In contrast, the UAE will benefit from wider access to the Union market in strategic categories, most notably polymers, especially polyethylene and polypropylene, alongside other consumer products such as cosmetics and home appliances.' WAM


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Safety first': UAE travellers welcome Emirates ban on power banks in flights
Starting October 1, Emirates will ban the use of any power bank onboard its flights, even for charging devices. While passengers will still be allowed to carry one power bank under 100 Watt Hours in their hand luggage, they can no longer use it mid-flight or recharge it during the journey. For many frequent UAE travellers, the change is seen as a safety measure rather than an inconvenience. Diane Christine Maninang, who frequently travels for work, welcomed the move. 'I'm okay with this rule since it's for everyone's safety,' she said. 'I recently flew a 14-hour flight to the US and found it very convenient to use the built-in charging ports onboard, so I don't think it will affect my in-flight experience much.' "For long-haul journeys, I'll make sure all my devices are fully charged before boarding, and charge them at the airport if needed, and then rely on the aircraft's charging facilities," the head of Research & Development at a private firm in Dubai added. The Filipina expat, who has called Dubai home for 11 years, describes herself as a 'seasoned traveller' and considers the rule 'standard practice.' She added that 'the safety benefits definitely outweigh the inconvenience,' recalling a time she unknowingly packed a facial device with a built-in battery in her checked luggage — and it passed through without being flagged. Dubai resident Arfaz Iqbal also supported the rule, citing passenger safety as the priority. 'No one wants to be the cause of problems during a flight,' he said. 'At airports, there are plenty of charging points, so you can charge your devices before boarding. Alternatively, you can use the aircraft's charging ports instead of carrying power banks.' The radio presenter recalled being stopped at Kochi Airport in India when security found a small toy with lithium batteries in his checked luggage. 'I didn't realise the toy contained batteries. They told me I couldn't keep them in checked baggage and had to place them in my carry-on after declaring them,' he said. Jane Dale, a British expat who travels frequently for leisure, admitted the rule will require her to be more mindful of battery use while working on flights. 'I usually edit my videos onboard, but since planes have charging ports, I'll just use those instead of carrying a power bank,' the 28-year-old content creator said. 'It's a safety hazard, so I'll adjust.' Aviation experts said the restriction addresses real risks. In a recent interview with Khaleej Times, David C., general manager at Emirates Safety Laboratory, explained that lithium-ion batteries in power banks can overheat during use. Pilot and aviation expert Hans-Georg Rabacher also elaborated that overheating — caused by factors like direct sunlight, poor ventilation, overcharging, or physical damage — can trigger a dangerous reaction called thermal runaway. 'This usually starts in one battery cell, which overheats and triggers a chain reaction. The result can be an explosion, toxic gas release, and open flames with temperatures over 1,000°C,' he said.


Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Free fitness, family time: How Dubai beaches help residents cool down amid soaring heat
With increasing temperatures in the UAE, residents are flocking to the city's beaches to cool off, unwind, and make the most of the season. From early evenings to late nights, beaches across the emirate — including Kite Beach, Jumeirah and Al Mamzar are bustling with life over the weekends. The weekend rush begins as early as Friday afternoon and stretches into Sunday night. With the temperatures slightly decreasing after 4.30pm, families, fitness enthusiasts, and groups of friends head to the shore. Evening fitness at Kite Beach Kite Beach has become a favourite for those looking for leisure with exercise. With its jogging and cycling tracks, it draws residents from different parts of the city. 'I work as an HR manager, and my weekdays are all about being indoors,' said victor Boyle, 41, who lives in Al Barsha. 'Coming to Kite Beach in the evening is my way of staying active while enjoying the sea breeze. I usually run for 3km and then cool down by sitting near the shore. It's the perfect stress buster.' "Apart from my running and jogging, I also swim at the beach on Friday and Sunday. Its hot, but as soon as you immerse in the water, it feels like you release all your stress and enjoy the peace and calmness," added Boyle. Fitness enthusiasts aren't the only ones drawn to the beach. Children and teenagers splash in the water, play with inflatable boats, or enjoy a game of beach volleyball. Family time by the water At Jumeirah Beach and Al Mamzar beach, it's a more laid-back atmosphere, attracting families who set up camp for the evening with chairs, tables, and picnic baskets. 'My wife and I bring our two kids here every Saturday,' said Filipino expat and Sharjah resident Anthony Cruz, who works as a nurse in Dubai. 'The children love playing in the shallow waters, and we get to meet other families. It's affordable, relaxing, and keeps the kids away from their screens.' His wife is seen pouring juice and tea from the packed containers. 'Even in the summer, the evenings here are beautiful,' he said. 'We stay until about 9pm when the kids start to get sleepy.' Night beaches draw late crowds For many, the fun begins only after sunset. Dubai's night beaches, equipped with floodlights, allow residents to swim safely under the stars. 'I finish work around 6pm and head straight here,' said Haroon Malik, a Pakistani and a hotel manager in Dubai Marina. 'It's still warm, but the atmosphere is different at night, it's peaceful, and calm without the midday heat.' "I come here everyday not for just fitness, but there are amazing cafes here and I get to meet like-minded people," added Malik. Lifeguards and beach patrols are also deputed to ensure safety. 'We advise people to stay hydrated and avoid swimming right after eating,' said a lifeguard at Kite Beach, adding that evenings see the heaviest footfall during the summer. "The best part is that people listen to us and even ask us to keep an eye. They are absolute strangers, and they trust us ... feels absolutely great," added the life guard.