A travel rush is expected before Eid Al Adha and the summer holidays, and airlines and authorities have started sharing advice.
About 3.5 million passengers are expected to fly in or out of Dubai International Airport (DXB) over the next two weeks.
Etihad Airways expects more than four million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) between now and September 30.
A high volume of passengers will depart from the airport at the weekend, with the peak day for outbound travel on Saturday, when about 100,000 are expected to fly out from Dubai.
If you are travelling through Abu Dhabi or Dubai this Eid break, The National has everything you need to know about navigating peak times and ensuring you and your family have a smooth and safe trip.
Check the latest travel guidelines
Abu Dhabi Airport's website advises that before planning your holiday, you should ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months. You should also check the visa and entry requirements of the destination you are travelling to.
Check in early
During peak times, airlines are advising passengers to check in online to avoid queues at the airport. Online check-in usually opens up to 48 hours before departure, enabling passengers to upload all the necessary documents ahead of time.
“DXB will remain quite busy over the weekend and throughout the next week and we urge our guests who are flying out of Dubai to plan enough time to get to the airport, as the roads will get busy,” a Dubai Airports representative told The National.
“Also, using online, early or self-check-in options, wherever available, will help them beat the rush to ensure a smooth start to their holiday.”
Etihad Airways has upgraded its online check-in, which allows passengers to complete passport and visa checks before reaching the airport.
Economy check-in for non-US flights opens four hours before departure and closes an hour before departure. Business and First Class check-in closes 45 minutes before departure.
For US flights, Etihad reminds passengers that check-in closes two hours before flights depart. Travellers can use Etihad's pre-clearance system to clear US immigration requirements before leaving the UAE, leading to a smoother arrival process at destinations in the world's biggest economy.
Pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for Hajj can use special check-in counters in Abu Dhabi.
Checking in online, at home or at centres at Mina Zayed and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre can help speed up the process for travellers too. These are available from 24 hours to four hours before flights.
If you are flying with Emirates in Dubai, you can arrive early and use the self-service check-in system, as well as the newly opened City Check-in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Passengers are required to arrive at least three hours before their flight and to pay careful attention to boarding times as gates close 20 minutes before departure.
Flydubai passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least four hours before departure. The airline also allows travellers to check in and drop off any checked baggage from 24 hours before departure at the car park check-in desk at Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3.
Passengers using other airlines should arrive no earlier than three hours before the scheduled departure time of their flights, according to Dubai Airports, adding that they should check in online to save time.
Those travelling with families, including children over the age of 12, can use Smart Gates to speed up the passport control process.
Weigh your bags in advance
Dubai Airports is advising travellers to weigh their luggage at home to minimise stress at the airport.
If you are flying with Emirates, you must check what your bag allowance is for your flight. You can check in as many bags as you like, up to the weight allowance for your travel class. However, each bag must not weigh more than 32kg.
During peak times, the airline advises travellers to weigh and prepare documents before arriving at the airport to avoid long queues. However, the airline does provide bag-weighing services at the check-in desk and at self check-in desks in the terminals.
Etihad has a self-service bag drop facility which provides a quicker and more efficient check-in process.
Once travellers have checked in, the self-service facilities allow them to seamlessly retrieve their booking, print the bag-tag and process their bags in less than two minutes.
Travellers flying with flydubai can check in up to three pieces of baggage as long as their combined weight doesn't exceed the baggage allowance in their booking confirmation.
Each piece of baggage has to weigh less than 32kg and should not exceed the maximum dimensions.
For hand luggage, all liquids must be in containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml. They should also be packed in clear, translucent bags. These are often provided at the airports in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi before you enter security.
Use the e-gates
To save time at the airport and avoid the summer queues, you can take advantage of the e-gates in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi's main airports.
In order to complete the process seamlessly, you will have to remove anything covering your face – such as masks, glasses and hats – and keep your passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed.
According to Abu Dhabi Airport's website, you can complete the airport's E-Border Gate process in only seven seconds.
Over at Dubai International Airport, the same contactless process using the smart gates takes seconds to complete.
UAE and GCC citizens, UAE residents, visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports and those who have used the smart gates previously can all use them again.
If you are unsure of your eligibility to use the smart gates in Dubai, you can check the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and follow instructions to register.
Park your car at the airport
If you are travelling abroad for a short break, you can travel and park your car at the airport in Abu Dhabi. According to the airport's website, you can leave your car at the airport while you travel or pick and drop off a passenger. The prices may vary depending on the terminal you are using.
At Dubai International Airport, Terminals 1 and 2 offer economy and premium parking options while disabled people get complimentary parking for two hours at all terminals.
Parking at Car Park A, which serves Terminal 1 and 2, costs Dh125 a day and Dh100 for each additional day. The prices are the same for Terminal 3, while free parking is available at DWC at both the arrivals and departure terminals.
Use public transport
For those using the Dubai Metro to get to and from the airport, the operating times are usually extended during Eid holidays.
According to the emirate's Road and Transport Authority, these times will be released on Sunday June 25.
Top travel destinations – in pictures
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WTL%20SCHEDULE
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KLOPP%20AT%20LIVERPOOL
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SPEC%20SHEET
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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
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
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
ARGYLLE
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH DETAILS
Barcelona 0
Slavia Prague 0
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Jonathan Cape
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)
Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldof v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)
Sunday
Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Pakhtoons 137-6 (10 ov)
Fletcher 68 not out; Cutting 2-14
Sindhis 129-8 (10 ov)
Perera 47; Sohail 2-18
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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