In a bold leap toward environmental leadership, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) is integrating cutting-edge sustainable technologies as part of a major terminal expansion—becoming the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to adopt DYNAES’s revolutionary thermodynamic energy efficiency system.

This milestone initiative is more than a technical upgrade; it’s a statement of intent. With Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism and economy rapidly accelerating, airport authorities are ensuring that growth goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. The move reflects a broader commitment to reducing environmental impact while meeting rising air travel demands.

Cooling Innovation, Warming Planet's Hope

Recognizing that air conditioning systems account for some of the highest energy consumption in airport operations, RAK Airport—guided by consultants ARTELIA Airport and STG Contracting—has turned to DYNAES’s breakthrough technology, first unveiled at Dubai COP28. The system’s installation in the terminal extension marks a regional first.

“Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, highlighted the vision behind the move: “RAK Airport joined the Retrofit Energy Program in 2023. Now, we are proving how even older infrastructure can lead the way in sustainability.”

Developed alongside leading scientific institutions including Mines Paris PSL, TÜV, and CNRS, DYNAES’s patented system enhances thermal performance without increasing compressor power or requiring complex electronics. It works by optimizing the interaction between refrigerants and lubricating oils in air conditioning systems—delivering improved reliability, maintainability, and energy savings.

Professor Assaad Zoughaib of Mines Paris PSL called the innovation “a major scientific breakthrough in the field of thermodynamics.”

Big Impact, Low Footprint

The environmental potential is massive. If deployed globally, DYNAES’s system could slash carbon emissions by up to 7%—equivalent to the total emissions from the internet and air traffic combined. At RAK Airport, the technology is supported by seasoned partners Airchal and Takyeef Factory, ensuring a strong foundation for its regional rollout.

This technology boost also aligns with RAK’s broader goals of economic diversification and sustainable development. With a 28% rise in passenger traffic last year, the airport is rapidly scaling up. Recent route expansions include Air Arabia’s new service to Uzbekistan and planned connections to Kenya, Georgia, and India via IndiGo.

A Model for Green Growth

RAK Airport’s ambitious blend of infrastructure growth and environmental responsibility is setting a new regional standard for sustainable aviation. As the airport continues to grow as a vital hub for tourism and trade, it is doing so with an eye firmly fixed on the future—one where economic and environmental priorities go hand in hand.

Ras Al Khaimah may be a smaller Emirate, but with RAK Airport leading the charge in clean technology, it’s making a big impact in global sustainability conversations.

September 3, 2025 – Football fans around the globe can now start planning their journey to the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. FIFA has officially announced that exclusive travel packages for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are now on sale.

The packages, designed to make the tournament experience seamless, include round-trip flights, premium accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels to high-end business stays, ground transportation, and guaranteed match tickets in Category 1 or Category 2 seating.

This early offering allows supporters to secure their seats well in advance, avoiding the uncertainty of the regular ticketing process. Organizers say this initiative is aimed at giving fans peace of mind while ensuring an unforgettable travel and match-day experience.

FIFA notes that Privilege Club members will also enjoy added perks, including earning Avios points on every package purchased. With the tournament expected to attract millions of visitors across three host nations, securing a travel package early could be the key to avoiding soaring prices and limited availability as the event draws nearer.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and an expanded format that promises more matches, more destinations, and more global excitement than ever before. Cities including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City are preparing to host matches in some of the world’s most iconic stadiums.

FIFA and its partners emphasize that availability is limited and demand is expected to surge rapidly. Fans are encouraged to review all terms and conditions before booking.

With less than a year to go, the countdown has started—and for many supporters, these packages could be the golden ticket to football’s ultimate festival.

UAE’s low-cost carrier Air Arabia has launched a special promotion, offering one-way fares starting from as low as Dh149, just in time for the upcoming long weekend.

The discounted tickets cover a wide range of destinations, including Muscat, Salalah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Kuwait across the GCC, as well as popular routes to India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The offer is valid for travel between September 15 and November 30, 2025, giving budget-conscious passengers ample flexibility for short getaways or longer trips.

To secure these low fares, passengers must book their tickets between August 28 and September 5, 2025. Air Arabia has urged travellers to act quickly, as the special fares are available only for a limited time and subject to seat availability.

This promotion comes as a boost for residents planning last-minute travel during the holiday break, further cementing Air Arabia’s reputation for offering affordable travel options in the region.

Oman’s low-cost airline SalamAir has launched a series of major fare discounts this August, giving customers the chance to fly to domestic and international destinations at the most affordable prices in recent memory.

Breaking Fares Campaign

SalamAir’s latest “Breaking Fares” campaign runs from August 24 to August 28, 2025, with fares starting at just OMR 19.99 (about Dh191). This limited-time offer allows travelers to book flights for journeys between October 1 and November 30, 2025, across SalamAir’s regional and international network.

Destinations include major cities like Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Alexandria, Dammam, and several in South Asia such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Islamabad, Karachi, and Sialkot.

Domestic Discounts for Cardholders

In addition to international deals, SalamAir is offering exclusive domestic flight discounts in partnership with Sohar International and Sohar Islamic banks. Customers booking from June 21 to August 10, 2025, for travel within Oman between July 1 and August 31, receive 15% off for debit card holders and 40% off for credit card holders (Gold, Platinum, Signature, Infinite)

The domestic deal covers routes between Muscat and locations like Salalah, Duqm, Masirah, and Sohar, and requires a promotional code from the issuing bank.

Click here to Book Now!

Terms and Availability

All discounts are available exclusively through SalamAir’s website or authorized sales channels. Seats are limited, so early booking is highly encouraged. Add-on options like seat selection and additional baggage remain available, allowing passengers to customize their travel.

Industry Impact

Marketing head Khadija Al Kindi highlights the initiative as part of SalamAir’s goal to make travel accessible despite rising global airfares. The campaign also coincides with the airline’s fleet expansion, positioning SalamAir as a key driver of affordable air travel in Oman and the wider region.

Travelers in Oman are now presented with a unique window to explore more for less, whether for business, leisure, or student travel.

Passengers flying out of Hamad International Airport (HIA) can now enjoy added convenience with Qatar Duty Free’s newly introduced ‘Collect on Return’ service, which allows travelers to shop duty-free before departure and collect their purchases upon their return to Doha.

The service, launched as part of Qatar Duty Free’s strategy to enhance customer experience, caters especially to Qatar residents, frequent travelers, and business passengers who may want to take advantage of duty-free pricing without carrying extra bags or fragile goods abroad.

How the Service Works

Travelers departing Doha can browse and purchase items from Qatar Duty Free’s wide retail portfolio, which includes luxury fashion, perfumes, cosmetics, electronics, watches, jewelry, confectionery, and premium liquors. Once customers select their goods, they can request that the purchase be stored.

• The items are securely packaged and labeled with the passenger’s details.

• Qatar Duty Free then stores them in designated, climate-controlled facilities to protect sensitive products such as fine chocolates, skincare, and beverages.

• Travelers receive a claim voucher or digital receipt, which they present when they return through HIA.

• On arrival back in Doha, passengers can collect their purchases at special ‘Collect on Return’ counters located within the arrivals area.

This process ensures that travelers avoid carrying unnecessary weight, dealing with customs concerns abroad, or transporting delicate products during their trips.

Benefits for Passengers

1. Hassle-Free Travel – Passengers can shop without worrying about space in their luggage.

2. Security & Preservation – Goods are stored safely under proper conditions.

3. Convenience for Short Trips – Particularly useful for weekend trips, business travel, or families with children.

4. Opportunity to Secure Promotions – If there are limited-time offers or exclusive products available on departure day, passengers can still purchase them without needing to carry them away immediately.

Strategic Importance

Qatar Duty Free operates in one of the fastest-growing hubs in the world, and the rollout of this service is seen as another step to match and surpass global standards in travel retail.

Hamad International Airport, which has repeatedly been ranked “World’s Best Airport” by Skytrax (2021, 2022, 2024), positions itself as a premium global gateway. It already boasts more than 90 boutiques and retail outlets, alongside 30 restaurants and cafés, offering both international luxury brands and local Qatari products.

By introducing ‘Collect on Return,’ QDF joins a select group of major duty-free retailers worldwide — such as those in Singapore, Dubai, and Heathrow — who offer similar services. Industry experts argue that this innovation is becoming increasingly important as passengers look for greater flexibility in how they shop, especially in the post-pandemic era where smooth, contact-minimized, and tailored services are in demand.

Official Position

QDF officials have emphasized that the service reinforces their passenger-first philosophy. “This initiative is built around convenience and peace of mind,” a Qatar Duty Free spokesperson noted in earlier statements, highlighting that the program reflects QDF’s ambition to provide not just products, but also premium after-purchase services.

Looking Ahead

Aviation analysts suggest that value-added retail services like ‘Collect on Return’ could boost non-aeronautical revenues for airports, which now account for a growing share of global airport income. It also enhances customer loyalty, as passengers are more likely to shop again if the process is streamlined and worry-free.

Travel insiders point out that this concept also reflects a wider luxury shopping trend in the Gulf region, where airports are increasingly expected to act as lifestyle destinations as much as transit hubs.

In a festive gesture to celebrate India's Independence Day, Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has launched an exclusive discount campaign for passengers booking from India. Operating from its hub at Zayed International Airport, Etihad is offering a generous 30 percent discount on Economy class tickets to a wide array of popular destinations across Europe and the United States.

Travellers booking now can secure flights at significantly reduced rates to iconic cities such as Chicago (Dh3,273), Toronto (Dh3,599), Washington DC (Dh3,149), Barcelona (Dh2,036), and Dublin (Dh2,149). The offer also extends to flights headed to Brussels, Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, New York, Rome, Atlanta, Madrid, Boston, Paris, Munich, and Frankfurt, making it easier than ever for Indian passengers to explore these global hubs.

The special fares are available for booking up until August 15, with a travel window stretching from September 2025 through March 2026. This promotion follows on the heels of Etihad’s recent start-of-summer campaign, which included discounts of up to 25% on both business and economy class tickets.
As the 2025 summer travel season approaches its end, airlines based in the UAE, neighboring regions, and India have launched a series of competitive fare offers, heating up the market for travelers seeking value deals.

In other exciting news, Etihad recently inaugurated commercial operations of its new Airbus A321LR, with Flight EY414 marking the first journey from Zayed International Airport to the beautiful island destination of Phuket. The addition of the A321LR to its fleet underscores Etihad’s commitment to delivering premium cabin experiences on short and medium-haul flights, mirroring the attention to detail and service excellence featured on its acclaimed widebody aircraft.

With these strategic offers and fleet enhancements, Etihad Airways continues to strengthen its position as a preferred carrier for Indian travelers seeking quality and affordability on international flights.