Air Arabia has announced the launch of a new daily non-stop service connecting Sharjah International Airport with Munich International Airport, starting December 15, 2025.

The new route marks a significant addition to the airline’s growing European network, providing travelers with affordable and convenient connectivity between the UAE and one of Germany’s key economic and cultural hubs, a WAM report said.

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Strategic expansion into Europe

“Munich stands as one of Germany’s leading economic and cultural centers, offering strong appeal for both business and leisure travelers,” said Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. “The launch of our new non-stop service to Munich marks another important step in expanding our European network from the UAE to key global destinations.”

He added that the move supports Air Arabia’s long-term growth strategy while reinforcing its commitment to value-driven travel.

Growing route network

With the addition of Munich, Air Arabia now connects Sharjah to a growing list of European cities, including Vienna, Athens, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, Warsaw (Chopin and Modlin), and Prague. The airline continues to strengthen its presence in Europe, offering increased options for travelers seeking budget-friendly and reliable air travel.

The airline aims to provide a seamless and comfortable flying experience, reinforcing its position as a leading low-cost carrier in the region.

Oil prices eased on Tuesday after rising almost 2 per cent in the previous session, as investors assessed new developments on US tariffs and a higher-than-expected OPEC+ output hike for August.

Brent crude futures dropped 21 cents at $69.37 a barrel by 0041 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 24 cents at $67.69 a barrel.

US President Donald Trump on Monday began telling trade partners, which included major suppliers South Korea and Japan as well as smaller US exporters like Serbia, Thailand and Tunisia, that sharply higher US tariffs will start August 1, marking a new phase in the trade war he launched earlier this year.

Trump’s tariffs have prompted uncertainty across the market and concerns they could have a negative effect on the global economy and, consequently, on oil demand.

However, there are some signs current demand remains strong, particularly in the US, the world’s biggest oil consumer, which has supported prices. A record 72.2m Americans were projected to travel more than 50 miles (80 km) for Fourth of July vacations, data from travel group AAA showed last week.

Investors were bullish heading into the holiday period with data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission released on Monday showing money managers raised their net-long futures and options positions in crude oil contracts in the week up to July 1.

Regarding supplies, on Saturday the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day in August, exceeding the 411,000-bpd hikes they made for the prior three months.

The decision removes nearly all of the 2.2m-bpd of voluntary cuts and analysts at Goldman Sachs expect OPEC+ to announce a final 550,000-bpd increase for September at the next meeting on August 3.

However, the actual output increase has been smaller than the announced levels so far and most of the supply has been from Saudi Arabia, analysts said.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently hosted a week-long exhibition at its headquarters to showcase its leading artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, supporting the implementation of its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030.

The exhibition was designed to engage RTA employees and strategic partners, highlighting how AI is being used to enhance service delivery, integrated mobility, and global best practices in transportation and infrastructure, a WAM report said.

AI tools driving smart mobility

Eleven AI-powered initiatives were presented during the event, each aligned with six strategic pillars of RTA’s AI Strategy: Seamless and Innovative Mobility, People Happiness, Smart Traffic Management, Smart Licensing, Asset Excellence, and Future Readiness.

Among the highlights was the Bus Drivers Support System: Control and Operation Centre, which uses AI to analyse voice and data for real-time communication between drivers and the control centre. The Dubai Metro Water and Electricity Consumption Forecast Dashboard was also showcased — a predictive analytics tool aimed at improving sustainability and cost efficiency in metro operations.

The exhibition also featured the AI-powered Madinati WhatsApp service, allowing users to report public transport asset damage, and the Smart Assessment of Cycling Track Infrastructure, which uses new global indicators to evaluate safety and rider comfort. The Smart Road Asset Assessment System, powered by LiDAR and AI, helps prioritise road maintenance and keeps digital asset records updated.

In traffic management, the Smart Traffic Management initiative presented at the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre demonstrates how big data and AI can be used to optimise traffic flow. Similarly, the AI-Powered Bus Network Management tool analyses ridership data to improve route efficiency. The Instructor Monitoring System uses in-vehicle AI cameras to assess driving instructors’ performance and maintain training standards.

Other notable projects included the Plate Price Prediction System, which uses historical data to forecast revenue from number plate auctions, and the Microsoft Copilot-enabled operations, which streamline data analysis and task automation. The Public Transport Station Management Using AI tool monitors crowd movement to enhance passenger flow and reduce wait times.

Hackathon highlights innovation drive

Alongside the exhibition, RTA hosted expert panels, forums, and interactive discussions on AI’s role in the future of smart mobility and urban development. A three-day AI Hackathon saw RTA employees competing to develop AI-based transport solutions, with the event concluding in an awards ceremony honoring the most innovative ideas.

Mohammed Yousef Al Mudharreb, CEO of the Corporate Technology Support Services Sector and Deputy Head of RTA’s AI and Data Science Team, said the event reinforced the momentum of Dubai AI Week held last April. That initiative, launched under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to position Dubai as a global AI hub.

Al Mudharreb emphasized the importance of involving staff and strategic partners in applying practical AI use cases while strengthening governance and technical capabilities.

In April, RTA launched its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, comprising 81 projects aimed at transforming Dubai into a global leader in AI-driven mobility and improving residents’ quality of life.