Tag: emirates

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Emirates blasts Heathrow curbs

Emirates airline has blasted one of the world’s busiest airports for its “incompetence” in failing to handle a surge in passengers, media reports said…reports Asian Lite News



The Dubai-based airline on Thursday slammed demands made by London’s Heathrow airport earlier this week that carriers stop selling any more tickets for this summer, CNN reported.

The airline, which operates six daily flights from Heathrow, has rejected the new limits and called them “entirely unreasonable and unacceptable”, CNN reported.

Heathrow, like other airports, has struggled to cope with a bounce back in travellers after two years of pandemic restrictions and staff cuts. The airport said on Tuesday that it would cap daily passenger numbers at 100,000 until September 11.

“(London Heathrow) chose not to act, not to plan, not to invest. Now faced with an ‘airmageddon’ situation due to their incompetence and non-action, they are pushing the entire burden of costs and the scramble to sort the mess to airlines and travellers,” the airline said in a statement, CNN reported.

ALSO READ:Emirates takes off to Tel Aviv

The company said that Heathrow had given it only 36 hours to comply with the new cap, and had threatened legal action against airlines that refuse to comply. It added that it had enough ground handling and catering staff to handle its flights at the airport.

Emirates said that Heathrow’s management team were “cavalier about travellers and their airline customers,” and had failed to rehire and train enough staff in advance of the predictable surge in summer travel, CNN reported.

On average, Heathrow handled nearly 220,000 passengers each day, split between arrivals and departure, in 2018.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said in an open letter to passengers on Tuesday that airlines had sold too many seats for the coming months.

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-Top News Dubai UAE News

Dh28 bn social welfare boost for Emiratis

The move aimed at raising the annual social support allocation from AED2.7 billion to AED5 billion…reports Asian Lite News

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the restructuring of the Social Welfare Programme of low-income citizens into an integrated programme worth AED28 billion instead of AED14 billion.

The move aimed at raising the annual social support allocation from AED2.7 billion to AED5 billion.

The directive of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed embodies his keenness to support low-income Emirati families to ensure family and social stability and provide the citizens with a decent life.

The programme, overseen by the Ministry of Community Development, covers various social aspects for national families with limited income, including the head of the family allowance, the wife allowance, and the children allowance. The programme also covers financial support for housing and other basic needs such as food, water, electricity and fuel, in addition to temporary financial support for unemployed job seeker, and unemployed citizens over the age of 45.

Introducing new allowances: In detail, the programme has introduced four new allowances: housing allowance, university education allowance, the allowance for unemployed citizens over the age of 45, and the allowance for the unemployed job seekers.

– Housing allowance The new programme includes a housing allowance between AED1,500 to AED2,500 per month until the family obtains government housing.

Applicants who live with their parents or any other family are entitled to 60% of these amounts. This allowance does not apply to those who obtain government housing subsidy or own a house registered in their names. Beneficiaries will stop receiving this allowance once acquiring government housing.

– University education allowance An allowance of AED3,200 per month will be allocated to outstanding high school students enrolled in university studies (according to the requirements of the Education and Human Resources Council).

The allowance also includes students enrolled in diploma and university education programmes according to the allowances of children for each family (between AED2,400 and AED800) up to the age of 25.

– Allowance to unemployed citizens over the age of 45 It is one of the new financial subsidies within the social welfare programme, where a fixed subsidy is granted starting from AED2000 to AED5000 per month according to the age of the unemployed citizens.

– Allowance for unemployed job seekers This allowance extends for a period of six months, and amounts to AED5000 per month for each beneficiary, regardless of his age.

– Increasing allowances The social welfare programme has been keen to increase the allowances allocated to all family members, including the three current allowances: the allowance for the head of the family, the one for the wife, and the one for children.

– The Head of the Family allowance increases according to years of experience This allowance has been increased to start from AED5,000 per month and then increase at a rate of AED2,000 per month for every 10 years of work experience until it reaches AED13,000.

Whereas the head of the family in the age group of 21-30 years receives an amount of AED5000 per month, and the allowance increases for the age group from 30-40 years to reach AED7000, and the age group from 40-50 years is AED9,000, and the age group from 50-60 years to reach AED11,000, and the age group of those over 60 years old, which amounts to AED13,000 per month.

– Wife allowance The new social welfare programme includes raising the wife’s allowance to AED3,500, with the aim of raising the social support that low-income national families receive.

– Children allowance The social welfare programme includes increasing the children allowance to AED2,400 per month for the first child, AED1,600 per month for the second and third child, and AED800 for the fourth child or more, and it shall be disbursed up to the age of 21 years.

– Inflation allowance The programme includes three types of allowances: food, electricity and water, and fuel subsidies.

ALSO READ:UAE approves 22 policies to boost circular economy

– Food supplement allowance As part of this initiative, the government bears 75% of food price inflation, as a commitment to provide the necessary assistance to Emirati families to enable them to meet their living requirements and provide them with a decent life.

– Electricity and water subsidy worth 50%.

The social welfare programme provides a monthly subsidy of 50% for electricity consumption less than 4,000 kilowatts, and monthly subsidy for water at a value of 50% for water consumption less than 26,000 gallons.

Fuel subsidy The programme provides a monthly subsidy of 85% of the fuel price increase over AED2.1 per litre. The head of the family receives a monthly subsidy of 300 litres, while the working wife receives a subsidy of an additional 200 litres. Meanwhile, the head of the family receives a subsidy of 400 litres if the wife does not receive support.

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-Top News Africa News

Emirates, South African Tourism Board ink tourism pact

Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of Tourism, welcomed the signing of this MoU, citing the benefits it will yield for travel between South Africa and the Middle East…reports Asian Lite News

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South African Tourism Board to promote tourism and boost visitor arrivals and inbound traffic to South Africa from key markets across the Emirates network.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022 by Badr Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, and Themba Khumalo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of South Africa Tourism Board, in the presence of Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer; Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of Tourism; Consul-General David Magabe; members of the South African Tourism Board; and a senior government delegation from the South African Consulate in Dubai.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, said, “For more than 25 years we have invested in, and grown our operations to, South Africa. We’re working hard to restore our services to pre-pandemic levels to help generate more opportunities for travellers from around the world to experience South Africa’s unique natural experiences, world-renowned cuisine, and local culture. Emirates is well-placed to support the recovery of South Africa’s tourism sector and help raise the profile of the destination again, offering convenient connections from over 130 destinations, and providing even more links for travellers who want to explore beyond our three South African gateways through our four airline partners.”

Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of Tourism, welcomed the signing of this MoU, citing the benefits it will yield for travel between South Africa and the Middle East. “We want to continue ensuring ease of access into South Africa for Middle Eastern travellers and this collaboration will assist us in elevating our trade efforts in terms of packaging the destination. We look forward to welcoming more travellers from the Middle East, to experience the various quality assured products and experiences that cater for this market, including family friendly accommodation establishments and activities, a diverse offering of cuisine, as well as wildlife and safari,” she added.

Themba Khumalo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of South Africa Tourism Board, said, “The Middle East is a critical market for South Africa, so this partnership will be very instrumental in ensuring ease of access to and from South Africa for travellers from this region. This will increase direct airlift, making room for more travellers, and as our tourism sector recovers we look forward to welcoming more visitors from the Middle East.”

Aimed at supporting South Africa’s tourism recovery efforts, the MoU will explore opportunities to promote South Africa and encourage travellers to experience the abundance of attractions that the country has to offer across its network of over 130 destinations.

The South Africa Tourism Board will also work closely with the airline to support travel trade partners and tour operators across the Emirates’ network to develop and promote itineraries, introduce special packages and promotional giveaways, encourage incentives, among other marketing initiatives.

Both parties will also explore opportunities to collaborate on joint advertising and marketing campaigns, as well as familiarisation programmes to South Africa for travel trade and media representatives, among other initiatives. Emirates will also support the transport of South African Tourism’s marketing collaterals to select destinations in its network.

ALSO READ-Dubai Airport Show to set future momentum for aviation industry’s growth

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Arab News Dubai UAE News

Emirates launches new hospitality strategy

Emirates launches new hospitality strategy

The new strategy touches on all aspects of service design, development, and learning, and will empower frontline teams to deliver a consistent experience…reports Asian Lite News

Emirates, renowned for its award-winning products and services, is launching a new hospitality-based strategy which will take the customer experiences that its teams deliver on ground and in the air, to new heights.

The programme will be one of the biggest people, process, and product initiatives ever implemented at the airline, touching all frontline customer facing teams as well as supporting departments.

Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer at Emirates said: “Even while managing the immediate challenges of the pandemic during the past two years, Emirates did not hesitate to keep driving forward initiatives to ensure our customers keep “flying better” for the foreseeable future.

“Emirates already has a signature service that our customers value and makes us unique. What we’re doing through our new hospitality strategy, is providing our teams with even more bandwidth and skills to build stronger, more personalised, and relevant connections with our customers at every moment of their journey with us. We’ll achieve that by investing in technologies, refining elements of our processes, and empowering our people to be our most effective and real brand ambassadors.”

Al Redha added: “The learning programme for our new hospitality strategy will be rolled out starting from June, and refresher courses in the programme will continue to ensure the consistency of our customer experience.”

With expert support from Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), consistently rated amongst the world’s top hospitality management schools, Emirates is creating its next generation hospitality programme based on bespoke principles that reflect its unique DNA. At its foundation are the principles of simplicity, excellence, innovation, and most importantly, passion.

The programme aims to drive consistency across all touchpoints and provide a framework for teams to deliver signature moments that evoke emotions and create positive memories and feelings for Emirates’ customers.

ALSO READ: Emirates, Royal Air Maroc launch codeshare partnership

Emirates has already incorporated elements of its new hospitality principles into its soon-to-launch Premium Economy service, as its cabin crew learn how to deliver Emirates’ latest inflight experience from food presentation and offering of welcome drinks, to complimentary amenities and other little touches. Earlier this week, the airline announced that it will offer its full-service Premium Economy experience for sale in June, for customers flying on select routes starting from 01 August 2022.

Committed to investing in its people, the first batch of Emirates facilitators have already earned their EHL Qualified Learning Facilitator Certification after completing an intensive 2-week programme between Dubai and EHL’s main campus in Lausanne earlier this year. They will be part of the core team involved in deploying the airline’s hospitality learning experience initiatives starting from June.

The airline is setting up an internal Emirates Hospitality Centre of Excellence to engage and co-ordinate the roll-out of the programme across the diverse teams at Emirates involved in delivering customer experiences – including cabin crew, airport services employees, contact centre teams, catering, inflight products, training, recruitment, sales and marketing, and more.

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Arab News Dubai UAE News

Emirates, Royal Air Maroc launch codeshare partnership

Emirates, Royal Air Maroc launch codeshare partnership

Emirates and Royal Air Maroc have today launched a codeshare partnership, providing more travel options and connection choices for customers of both airlines between Dubai and Casablanca, and beyond…reports Asian Lite News

Effective later this month, both airlines will place their marketing codes on each other’s flights between Casablanca and Dubai to a total of 209 combined destinations. The new partnership will offer customers from both airlines more ways to book and connect their travel between the two airlines’ networks. The codeshare agreement will also provide customers with more competitive single-ticket, multi-journey fares and baggage transfers to their final destination. The new codeshare flights are available for sale through royalairmaroc.com, emirates.com, travel agents, OTAs and through retail sales offices. 

Emirates customers will be able to access 17 destinations in Morocco beyond Casablanca, as well as to 63 international destinations, including an extensive North, West and Central African network spanning 25 points. Royal Air Maroc customers can access Emirates’ extensive network beyond Dubai of over 130 destinations, including 60 cities across the Middle East, United States, West Asia and the Far East.

Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer Emirates Airline said: “We are delighted to enhance our partnership with Royal Air Maroc to a codeshare and offer our customers an unparalleled selection of destinations across Morocco, and a huge choice of onwards points in Africa. This partnership will further help strengthen our network connectivity, providing leisure and business travellers with more choice and convenience when connecting between both of our airlines. We look forward to developing our relationship together to provide greater benefits for our customers.”

ALSO READ: Emirates boarding pass unlocks Dubai deals

 “We are very pleased to conclude this important partnership with Emirates which will contribute to the reinforcement of our traffic, and will offer our passengers a large set of destinations as well as a better customer experience thanks to optimized connections and end-to-end check-in, with international airport assistance within both airlines networks”, underlines Hamid ADDOU, Chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc.

The new codeshare agreement comes as Emirates marks 20 years of service to Casablanca. Since 2002, Emirates has carried over 3.4 million passengers between Dubai and Casablanca, supporting the country’s tourism industry, growing trade lanes, and bringing Moroccan culture and traditions to the world. Emirates currently operates eight weekly flights to Casablanca. Royal Air Maroc will operate a direct route linking Casablanca to Dubai with four frequencies per week.

This codeshare agreement builds upon Emirates and Royal Air Maroc’s interline partnership that spans over two decades. With the addition of the Royal Air Maroc codeshare partnership, Emirates’ footprint across Africa now offers customers connectivity to over 184 destinations across the continent beyond its 21 passenger gateways.

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Arab News Dubai UAE News

Emirates boarding pass unlocks Dubai deals

Emirates boarding pass unlocks Dubai deals

Emirates is unlocking more offers for all its customers arriving in or stopping over in Dubai with its My Emirates Summer Pass…reports Asian Lite News

Your Emirates boarding pass is more than a travel document or travel keepsake, it is also the key to the coolest deals in Dubai this summer! For five months starting May 01 to September 30, Emirates is unlocking even more offers for all its customers arriving in or stopping over in Dubai with its My Emirates Summer Pass.

Emirates’ customers can simply show their boarding pass and a valid form of identification to hundreds of retail, leisure and dining outlets to enjoy fantastic discounts throughout Dubai. In addition, during May, those landing in Dubai can enjoy a complimentary Dubai Marina Cruise, which gives unrivalled panoramic views of one of the city’s most iconic skylines from the Arabian Gulf.

Pre-booking is not required for the single-entry complimentary ticket to Tour Dubai’s one hour Marina Sightseeing Cruise. The Emirates customer just has to show a valid boarding pass, either digital or paper, at the ticketing counter on the day of use as well as proof of identity. The cruise is only valid from May 01 – 31 between 10am and 4pm.

ALSO READ: Emirates ramps up global operations

UAE residents and nationals returning home to Dubai on Emirates during the promotional period can also benefit from the fantastic offers under My Emirates Summer Pass. Visiting friends and family can also avail of offers at top designer brand outlets like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger or splash out at Bath & Body Works. Families can save and beat the summer heat at Atlantis Aquaventure or break a sweat on some of the adrenaline-pumping attractions at IMG world of Adventure.

Couples who would appreciate a quiet afternoon at a spa can indulge themselves at the Sofitel Spa with L’Occitane or spot Arabian oryx at sunset while taking a private desert safari with Arabian Adventures.

A holiday to Dubai is not complete without a city sightseeing bus tour that is eligible for discount or capturing the historic Dubai Creek on a cruise before saving up to 20 per cent on food and beverages at any of the Rove hotels. Accor Hotels is also offering 20 per cent off its food and beverage when My Emirates Pass is presented. 

Details of the offers can be found on www.emirates.com/myemiratespass.

Dubai is the place to be this summer season. In addition to an exciting calendar of world-class culture, shopping and dining, The Dubai Summer Surprises, one of the city’s major shopping and entertainment events, will be also running with a packed line-up of events and family activities, exclusive shopping deals, fun competitions, and shop and win promotions.

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Arab News Dubai

Emirates newest iconic landmark ‘Museum of the Future’ will be emblazoned on 10 A380s

Emirates has today revealed a new custom A380 livery dedicated to Dubai’s newest architectural icon and centre for pioneering concepts and ideas, the Museum of the Future…reports Asian Lite News

The first Emirates A380 (A6-EVK) to sport this exciting new livery, takes flight tomorrow to Los Angeles. As its nine other aircraft siblings roll out of the dedicated Aircraft Appearance Centre at Emirates Engineering  over the coming weeks, Emirates’ Museum of the Future A380s will be deployed on routes to Europe as well as key Arab regional cities.

This initiative underscores the airline’s unwavering commitment to support Dubai’s vision to become the leading city of the future, a hub for innovation and testbed for emerging technologies. It also crystallises the UAE’s 50 years of development and progress.

The seven storey, pillarless, torus-shaped Museum of the Future, dubbed as the ‘world’s most beautiful building’, has become one of Dubai’s definitive design marvels, and aims to inspire the world to imagine the possibilities of tomorrow, featuring mesmerising installations and futuristic experiences. The building’s ring forms a void to represent unknown and undiscovered knowledge. 

ALSO READ: Emirates ramps up global operations

The Museum will also act as an incubator for scientists, thinkers and researchers to bring their bold ideas and visions of the future to life, especially across areas like sustainability, outer space, health, and other critical global challenges. It will also be a platform to trial and demonstrate the latest technological discoveries, with prototypes that will continually evolve from emerging start-ups and established technology enterprises.

The ring shaped, Arabic calligraphy encapsulated building encircles both sides of the aircraft, and features the message ‘Journey to the future’ across the fuselage, covering a total of 336 sqm on the A380. The façade is decorated with quotes from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The airline will produce 10 A380 liveries in total, which will fly across close to 30 destinations around the world in the coming year, carrying the museum’s message of creating a better future, now.

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

Emirates to add 23 extra flights across 7 Arab cities during Eid

Emirates to add 23 extra flights across 7 Arab cities during Eid

Emirates is stepping up its schedule by adding 23 flights and layering on additional seats with the deployment of both A380s and Boeing 777s…reports Asian Lite News

With Eid Al Fitr approaching and more travellers planning to take to the skies, Emirates is stepping up its schedule by adding 23 flights and layering on additional seats with the deployment of both A380s and Boeing 777s between 28th April and 8th May to the four cities it serves in KSA, as well as to Kuwait, Beirut, and Amman.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emirates will be layering on two additional flights on 2nd and 8th May to serve demand in and out of Riyadh. In Jeddah, the airline will add five flights served by its Boeing 777, and will be upgrading one of its existing flights to an A380, to become an all A380 operation. Medina will also be served with four additional flights during this time, and travelers from Dammam will also have the option of one extra flight on 28th April as they start their holidays. This year, Emirates customers in KSA will be venturing to Dubai for their Eid Al Fitr celebrations, in addition to the Maldives, Paris, Bangkok, Mauritius, Manila and Los Angeles in the US.

ALSO READ: UAE travel booking volumes up 195% YoY for Eid Al Fitr

Popular destinations for Kuwaiti travelers this year include Dubai, the Maldives, Manila, Bangkok, London, Mauritius and Paris and Emirates will be operating eight additional flights served by its Boeing 777 during Eid.

Emirates will be layering on three flights served by its Boeing 777s to the airline’s existing Beirut schedule to accommodate for more travelers as they head home to visit friends and relatives. Amman flights served by the Boeing 777 will also be upgraded with higher seat capacities.

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Arab News Dubai

The Diplomacy Lab launches Diplomacy Lab Dialogues

The Diplomacy Lab, the community-powered space by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) and Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI) announced the launch of Diplomacy Lab Dialogues…reports Asian Lite News

The Diplomacy Lab, the community-powered space by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) and Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI) announced the launch of Diplomacy Lab Dialogues, a series of talks with Ministers and senior officials, which will continue throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

The Diplomacy Lab Dialogues, which takes place in the Diplomacy Lab space at Dubai’s Emirates Towers, will include a line-up of high-profiled speakers that will share their experiences about diplomacy and engage in panel discussions. With talks themed around diplomacy, the audience can expect to learn about cultural and public diplomacy, as well as current global affairs in an open format environment where speakers tackle current global issues through diplomatic action.

On Wednesday 13th His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy discussed the transformation of economic diplomacy, followed by Monday 18th April, where Hana Al Hashimi, Head of the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, will shed light on the new era of climate diplomacy and UAE hosting COP28 next year.

His Excellency Nickolay Mladenov, Director General a.i. of AGDA: “We are honoured to launch the Diplomacy Lab Dialogues during the holy month of Ramadan and welcome renowned ministers, diplomats and experts, who can shed light on current and future foreign policy issues, all while exploring unique ways to overcome global obstacles, through technology, business and innovation. The Diplomacy Lab is a distinctive shared space, where the UAE community can come together and debate worldwide challenges. We look forward to welcoming prominent speakers in the upcoming sessions, who will provide interactive and enlightening discussions and share their unique insight with our audience members and aspiring diplomats.”

ALSO READ:Marriott International continues to develop young talent in Saudi

Farshied Jabarkhyl, Managing Director of FBMI: “Our aim at The Diplomacy Lab is providing unique programmes and sessions that encourage open dialogue between participants and audience members, whilst shedding light on innovations in diplomacy, particularly those that are relevant to the 21st century, such as rising issues around sustainability, economy and global crises. As FBMI plays an important role in the UAE’s diplomacy approach today, we are honoured and delighted to host these sessions at our lab, the region’s first diplomacy lab. The FBMI initiative continues to empower communities through sustainable models.”

Upcoming discussions at the Diplomacy Lab will welcome His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE; Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth; His Excellency Omar Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, as well as His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Saif Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The Diplomacy Lab is a unique community-driven space focused on innovation, culture and youth and seeks to debate the policy challenges of the future, explore how diplomacy can interact with technology or promote cultural programmes and exhibitions that reach young Emiratis interested in pursuing a career in the foreign service of their country.

To reserve your seat at the Diplomacy Lab Dialogues, contact diplomacylab@fbmi.ae or 0507900620

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Arab News News

Emirates to launch NFTs and exciting experience in Metaverse

Emirates to launch NFTs and exciting experience in Metaverse

Emirates will soon launch Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and exciting experiences in the metaverse for its customers and employees…reports Asian Lite News

The airline, which has earned a reputation for its innovative products and customer-centric services, today unveiled its plans to build signature brand experiences in the metaverse, alongside both collectible and utility-based NFTs. The first projects are already underway, with launch anticipated in the coming months.

Emirates also announced that its Emirates Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site will be repurposed into a centre for innovation, bringing talent from all over the globe to bring to life the airline’s future-focused projects including those relating to the metaverse, NFTs and Web3.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said, “Dubai and the UAE are blazing the way in the digital economy, having a clear vision supported by practical policies and regulatory frameworks in areas such as virtual assets, artificial intelligence, and data protection.

ALSO READ: Emirates ramps up global operations

“Emirates has always embraced advanced technologies to improve our business processes, enhance our customer offering, and enrich our employees’ skills and experiences. We are excited about the opportunities in the digital space of the future and are committing a significant investment in financial and resourcing terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies.”

“It is fitting that our future-themed Emirates Pavilion at Expo is being repurposed as a hub to develop cutting-edge future experiences aligned with the UAE’s vision for the digital economy,” Sheikh Ahmed added.