The UAE's private air travel industry is expected to end the year strong, lifted by an influx of high net-worth individuals, strong economic growth, new companies establishing operations and developed airport infrastructure.
Business jet movements at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport are expected to reach more than 18,000 in 2024, compared to 16,657 last year, according to the latest forecast by the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (Mebaa).
The UAE's share of the Middle East and North Africa's business aviation market has reached between 40 to 45 per cent this year, up from a share of 30 to 35 per cent in 2023, Mebaa said.
The Mena business aviation market has grown in 2024 about seven per cent year-on-year in terms of traffic, number of flight movements and number of registered aircraft, according to the association.
"We have not only come to the level of 2019, but we have exceeded it by almost 30 per cent, so the growth is very obvious," said Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, founder and executive chairman of Mebaa.
"Everybody knows that real business happens in Middle East and North Africa, despite all of what is happening around us."
While aircraft registration is a "very complex activity", Mebaa is working closely with the authorities to increase the number of aircraft registered in the UAE, as a major business aviation hub, he added.
He was speaking in the lead up to the 10th Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association Show, which will be held from December 10 to 12.
This year's event will feature a new Advanced Air Mobility Pavilion with US-based air taxi developer Joby Aviation and Germany's Lilium putting mock-ups on display, according to Tim Hawes, managing director of Informa Markets, which organises the event with Mebaa.
Air taxis will be "complementary to business aviation", where these electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) will make travel easier by carrying passengers arriving to Dubai on business jets to their hotels or business appointments in a "seamless way" that avoids traffic delays, Mr Al Naqbi said.
Other new features at the Mebaa show include a start-up pavilion and a "NextGen programme" that aims to bring more than 500 students to the show to give them insights into various aspects of the industry to help inspire a new generation of talent.
The 2024 show is expect to have more than 145 exhibitors, including 64 new ones, and host more than 10,000 visitors from 95 countries, the organisers said.
That marks a 43 per cent increase in the number of countries coming to the show, with a big uptake from companies based in the US, Asia and Europe, which see the Middle East as a "valuable place to do business," Mr Hawes said.
Static displays of 25 aircraft will be on the tarmac from major manufacturers including Airbus ACJ, Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Textron, RoyalJet, Qatar Executive, Vista, Falcon and others.
"We are expecting a lot of deals to be signed at the show and it will be announced publicly, Mr Al Naqbi said.
The UAE is leading the region's business aviation sector amid an influx of wealthy individuals. The Mena region has attracted the most billionaire wealth globally since Covid-19 as the super-rich move to countries that offer premium health care, education, safety and ease of doing business, according to a report by Swiss banking group UBS.
UAE billionaires’ aggregate wealth rose by 39.5 per cent annually to $138.7 billion this year, with the number of billionaires growing by one to 18, UBS’s Billionaire Ambitions report found.
The UAE has established itself as the leading destination for high-net worth individuals globally this year, attracting more than 6,700 millionaires, according to British investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners.
The country’s tax-free environment, quality of life and robust financial infrastructure are major draws. Dubai was ranked 14th on Euromonitor's Top 100 City Destinations Index in 2024, according to the report released on December 5.
It was also ranked fifth among the Top 10 Cities for Tourism Performance in 2024.
"Dubai remains the leading city in terms of international demand in 2024. The city benefits from a growing number of arrivals from Asia Pacific and further recovery of high-spending Chinese tourists," Euromonitor said. "The upgraded more flexible visa-on-arrival rules that now include such major source destinations as India have become another important growth factor."
The emirate also ranked seventh in the Top 10 Cities in International Arrivals in 2024, according to the report.
The UAE Central Bank in September said it expects the country's economy to expand by 4 per cent this year, an increase from its June estimate of 3.9 per cent, on the back of a boost from its non-oil sector as the Emirates moves forward with its diversification strategy.
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
%3Cp%3EMannofield%2C%20Aberdeen%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAll%20matches%20start%20at%202pm%20UAE%20time%20and%20will%20be%20broadcast%20on%20icc.tv%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWednesday%2C%20Aug%2010%20%E2%80%93%20Scotland%20v%20UAE%3Cbr%3EThursday%2C%20Aug%2011%20-%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2C%20Aug%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Scotland%20v%20UAE%3Cbr%3EMonday%2C%20Aug%2015%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Raza%20(captain)%2C%20Chirag%20Suri%2C%20Muhammad%20Waseem%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20CP%20Rizwan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Zawar%20Farid%2C%20Kashif%20Daud%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Sabir%20Ali%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETable%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20(top%20three%20teams%20advance%20directly%20to%20the%202023%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Oman%2036%2021%2013%201%201%2044%3Cbr%3E2.%20Scotland%2024%2016%206%200%202%2034%3Cbr%3E3.%20UAE%2022%2012%208%201%201%2026%3Cbr%3E--%3Cbr%3E4.%20Namibia%2018%209%209%200%200%2018%3Cbr%3E5.%20United%20States%2024%2011%2012%201%200%2023%3Cbr%3E6.%20Nepal%2020%208%2011%201%200%2017%3Cbr%3E7.%20Papua%20New%20Guinea%2020%201%2019%200%200%202%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The years Ramadan fell in May
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“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
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Company%20Profile
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 100 ) US$175,000 1,200m
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Our family matters legal consultant
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Roll of honour 2019-2020
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
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Based: Dubai, UAE
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
