Airshows are nothing if not spectacular; the sight of planes old and new soaring through the skies is a proven draw for crowds the world over. Although Dubai Airshow, which ends on Friday, has earned its place among the world’s top-tier aviation events, it is about much more than just aircraft.
Of course, the show was a natural backdrop to multibillion-dollar deals for new planes and training centres – Emirates, the world's biggest long-haul airline, placed an order for 95 additional Boeing 777X jets and Boeing 787 Dreamliners valued at $52 billion. It was also the scene for important announcements about investment in aviation – such as the launch of a Dh700 million ($190.5 million) programme to further modernise the UAE’s air navigation services over the next decade. However, a closer look at the airshow and what has been an important year for aviation in the UAE generally offers us a glimpse into the future of other sectors that will play a major role in our lives.
Aviation does not exist in a vacuum – it is an intrinsic part of the global economy and is the glue that binds strategic industries such as logistics, cargo and tourism. It is also on the cutting edge of engineering, technology and digitisation. It was this final sector that was on show with Emirates’ display of its coming biometric facial recognition system that promises to cut waiting times and queues for passengers. In a world where the shift to a cashless, paperless society seems set to continue, this was an important glimpse at what the future of travel may look like.
Sustainability is a key factor in all major industries these days, and aviation is no exception. That industry leaders used Dubai Airshow as a platform to explore ideas and innovations to reach their goals of net-zero emissions by 2050 points to the event’s importance. But elsewhere in UAE aviation, steps towards a greener future have already been taken, such as at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s recently opened new terminal building, which will reduce water consumption by 45 per cent and which includes more than 7,500 solar panels to power a three megawatt plant, saving an estimated 5,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
Aviation is not confined to jetliners and international travel. Dubai is notable for its interest in different forms of urban transport – including aerial city travel. The Integrity, a zero-emission electric air taxi produced by Spanish company Crisalion, and which can carry six passengers, was unveiled at the Dubai Airshow. It is due to undergo tests in Dubai next year as part of the city’s continuing efforts to break new ground on urban transportation.
Overall, this year’s Dubai Airshow demonstrates that aviation is to continue flourishing, not just in the UAE but in the wider GCC, which remains an important and strategic region. Passenger numbers are set to increase, new airlines – such as Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air – are being founded, and existing carriers are expanding their fleets and routes. Etihad, the UAE’s national airline, is a striking example of this ambition; it aims to triple the number of passengers carried to 33 million, double its fleet to 150 planes and increase its available seat kilometres – a measure of an airline's seats multiplied by kilometres flown – by about 30 per cent annually over the next seven years, its chief executive Antonoaldo Neves told The National earlier this month.
Other developments, such as the planned introduction of a pan-GCC visit visa, will further break down barriers to trade and travel. Dubai International Airport already expects to hit the 90 million-passenger mark for the first time in 2025 and with its new terminal, Abu Dhabi International Airport – soon to be renamed Zayed International Airport – will double current capacity to be able to handle up to 45 million passengers a year. This will enhance the UAE’s connectivity to the region and the wider world.
This is not expansion for the sake of it – growth in aviation and its supporting infrastructure is an investment for now and the future. Aside from creating jobs, aviation adds 14 per cent to UAE’s gross domestic product, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority – this is important revenue to be used in other areas. As President Sheikh Mohamed noted on Wednesday: “The aviation sector represents one of the most important vital fields that stimulate and support the growth of many sectors related to this industry.”
Aviation executives are also aware of their companies’ role in the UAE’s wider development. Discussing Emirates’ major purchase of new jets, the airline’s chairman and chief executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, said on Tuesday that the orders “represent a significant investment that reflects Dubai's commitment to the future of aviation. It also supports the D33, Dubai's economic agenda”.
Dubai Airshow is a reliable gauge for where the industry is going, but what it really shows is how the future is shaping up for all of us.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
All or Nothing
Amazon Prime
Four stars
More on animal trafficking
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
CREW
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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