Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), through its Rail Agency, has completed Phase 2 of a major ventilation and air conditioning (VAC) overhaul across stations on the Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro.

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The project is part of RTA’s Strategic Plan 2024–2030, focusing on passenger comfort, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and long-term sustainability of assets. It also aligns with RTA’s broader vision to be a global leader in seamless and sustainable mobility, a WAM report said.

This milestone underscores the partnership between RTA and Keolis-MHI, the Dubai Metro and Tram operator, in maintaining service excellence—especially during the city’s demanding summer season.

876 assets upgraded across 14 stations

Phase 2 saw the overhaul of 876 VAC assets across 14 stations and two car parks along the Red Line. Notably, the project was completed without any disruption to train operations. This builds on the success of Phase 1, which covered 261 assets across 13 stations.

The 10-month program was carefully scheduled during off-peak hours and night shifts to ensure smooth station operations and uninterrupted service for commuters.

Next phase to focus on energy efficiency

Preparations are already underway for Phase 3, which will target the remaining 25% of public-area fan coil units (FCUs) and air handling units (AHUs) located in back-of-house and critical rooms across Red Line stations. Testing and verification work began in mid-July 2025.

The RTA is continuing its VAC Enhancement Project with a focus on energy optimisation and a potential shift toward variable flow technology—part of a broader effort to enhance sustainability and reduce energy consumption system-wide.

The UAE continues to outperform its peers in global mobility, rising 34 places in the Henley Passport Index over the past decade to reach 8th position, up from 42nd in 2015. It is the only major riser to break into the Top 10, reflecting the country’s sustained efforts in visa diplomacy and international engagement.

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China, another standout mover, has also jumped 34 places over the same period, from 94th to 60th, despite not yet securing visa-free access to the Schengen Area in Europe. The remarkable gains by both countries underscore a shifting global mobility landscape increasingly defined by diplomatic strategy and openness, a Henley and Partners report said.

The Henley Passport Index, powered by exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks all of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations holders can access without a prior visa. The 2025 edition reveals clear winners and emerging trends in global mobility power.

Asia continues to lead in passport strength

Singapore holds the crown as the world’s most powerful passport in 2025, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 out of 227 destinations globally. Close behind are Japan and South Korea, tied for second place with visa-free access to 190 destinations each.

European countries form a strong cluster in the Top 5. Seven European Union (EU) nations, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, share 3rd place, each offering access to 189 countries without a visa. Another group of seven European countries, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden, are tied in 4th place with visa-free access to 188 destinations.

Outside Europe and Asia, New Zealand is the only country to break into the top tier from another region, tied in 5th place with Greece and Switzerland, each with access to 187 destinations.

At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains the least powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 25 countries, highlighting a 168-destination gap between the most and least mobile nationalities.

Biggest climbers and decliners in 2025

While the UAE and China have surged in passport strength, several Western nations are trending downward. The United Kingdom and the United States have each dropped one position since January. Once the most powerful passports in the world (UK in 2015 and US in 2014), they now sit in 6th and 10th place respectively.

The UK offers visa-free access to 186 destinations, while the US grants access to 182, putting it on the edge of falling out of the Top 10 for the first time in the index’s 20-year history.

India has seen the largest leap in the last six months, rising eight places from 85th to 77th, despite only gaining two additional visa-free destinations (now totaling 59). Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has added four new destinations since January, the largest increase in the first half of 2025, lifting it four positions to 54th place.

According to Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the passport index, these shifts are not random. “The consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned, and must be maintained, through active and strategic diplomacy,” he said. “Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged.”

China’s openness strategy alters regional balance

The long-term view of the Henley Passport Index points to a clear global trend toward greater mobility. Since 2006, the global average number of visa-free destinations per passport has nearly doubled, rising from 58 to 109 in 2025. More than 80 passports have improved by at least ten places over the past decade.

China’s rise has been particularly striking. In addition to its passport gains, China has significantly expanded its visa-free access policies for incoming travelers. According to the Henley Openness Index, which ranks countries based on how many nationalities they admit without prior visas, China now allows entry to citizens from 75 countries, up from fewer than 20 just five years ago.

Notable additions to China’s visa-free list in 2025 include all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as major South American nations like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Several European nations have also benefited from China’s openness, further fueling their top-tier mobility rankings.

China’s expanding openness aligns with its broader strategic goal of attracting more tourists, investors, and global partners. This has not only enhanced its passport strength but also contributed to the dominance of European and Asia-Pacific passports in the Henley Passport Power Index, which measures the share of global GDP accessible to each passport without a visa.

Global mobility shifts reflect broader geopolitical trends

The growth of passport power in Asia and the Middle East comes at a time when legacy Western powers are losing ground. Of the few countries whose passport rankings have declined in the last decade, Venezuela is the biggest faller, dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th. The United States has fallen 8 places, Vanuatu 6, the UK 5, and Canada 4.

This downward trend reflects a broader geopolitical realignment, where emerging economies are investing in diplomatic capital and liberalising visa regimes, while Western nations appear increasingly insular.

According to Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, this transformation is also influencing global patterns in citizenship and residency investment. “Americans are now leading global demand for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also in the top five. As the US and UK adopt more restrictive policies, citizens are seeking mobility solutions elsewhere,” he noted.

“Your passport is no longer just a travel document, it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships,” Dr Steffen added. “In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.”

Meanwhile, demand for air travel is also surging, particularly in Asia. IATA Director General Willie Walsh reported a 5.8 per cent global increase in travel demand over the first five months of 2025, with Asia-Pacific carriers leading the way with 9.5 per cent growth. By contrast, North American growth was flat due to weak domestic travel performance.

“Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, consumer confidence remains strong,” Walsh said. “Forward bookings for the peak Northern summer season are robust, suggesting continued momentum.”

Deed, a platform licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), has officially launched to the public, allowing global investors to purchase fractional shares in income-generating residential properties in Dubai starting from just Dhs500.

Traditionally, entering Dubai’s real estate market required significant capital, extensive paperwork, and often a physical presence. Deed eliminates these barriers through a fully digital platform. Users can register, verify their identity, and begin investing in curated, professionally managed properties within minutes.

Investors receive monthly rental income based on their ownership share and are entitled to capital gains upon the sale of the property, which are distributed among shareholders. The end-to-end investment journey—from browsing listings to completing a transaction—is entirely online and accessible from anywhere in the world.

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“Real estate shouldn’t be reserved for the few,” said Bashar Khdair, CEO and co-founder of Deed. “At Deed, we’ve made it simple for anyone to start owning real property in Dubai, from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking to grow your income or build long-term wealth, we’ve built a platform that brings the opportunity to your fingertips, fully digital, fully transparent, and fully regulated.”

Dubai’s property market

Whether investing Dhs500 or Dhs50,000, users gain access to Dubai’s dynamic property market without borders or the burden of traditional entry costs. The platform has seen strong interest since its soft launch, with thousands joining the waitlist—highlighting growing demand for accessible, technology-driven investment tools.

Long regarded as a cornerstone of wealth-building, real estate in Dubai remains one of the most attractive markets globally. Deed’s model combines smart technology, regulated infrastructure, and professional property management to open new avenues for investors previously excluded from this asset class.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in UAE (MoHESR) has announced a new academic calendar structure for the 2025–2026 academic year, following approval from the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council.

The changes will apply to all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) across the UAE, reflecting a nationwide effort to enhance the higher education landscape.

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The revised calendar introduces unified term dates, including synchronised start and end dates, with holidays aligned closely to the school calendar. According to MoHESR, the goal is to create a more balanced academic environment that supports student wellbeing, fosters family cohesion, and promotes community engagement, a WAM report said.

Flexible structure, aligned with national goals

The academic year will begin on August 25, 2025 and end on July 3, 2026, offering a clearer and more consistent structure across institutions. Major breaks include:

• A four-week winter break from December 8, 2025 to January 4, 2026, with classes resuming on January 5.

• A two-week spring break from March 16 to 29, 2026, with classes resuming on March 30.

These changes are designed to support students by providing regular intervals for rest and recovery during the academic year.

Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasised that the updated calendar reflects the ministry’s broader commitment to student wellbeing and institutional efficiency.

“This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs,” said Dr Al Awar. “The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students’ wellbeing, community engagement, and personal growth.”

Institutional flexibility with unified framework

While the calendar is standardized, the ministry is allowing institutions a degree of flexibility. HEIs may adjust holiday start dates by up to one week before or after the designated dates, as long as the total duration remains the same. Additionally, universities can determine the end date of the academic year based on the requirements of summer semesters and the nature of their academic programs.

International branch campuses may align their calendars with those of their home institutions, provided they meet the ministry’s regulatory framework.

The adoption of the new calendar is part of MoHESR’s broader strategy to elevate the quality and accessibility of higher education across the country. It supports the goals of the “Year of Community” initiative by creating conditions for stronger family ties and more engaged student life.

“The unified academic calendar is a key milestone in our national mission to prepare future-ready graduates equipped with the skills and creativity needed in critical sectors,” MoHESR said in a statement.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) reported a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit for Q2 2025, reaching Dhs727m, as strong growth across mobile, fixed and ICT services boosted the company’s bottom line.

Revenue rose by 8.6 per cent to Dhs3.9bn, while EBITDA grew by 16.4 per cent to Dhs1.83bn, lifting the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin to 46.8 per cent, up from 43.7 per cent a year earlier.

The company attributed the performance to disciplined cost management and a more favourable product mix, including increased uptake of unlimited data plans.

In light of these results, the board approved an interim cash dividend of Dhs0.24 per share, a 20 per cent increase over last year’s interim payout.

“Our second quarter financial results showcased impressive performance, fuelled by the meticulous execution of our strategy,” said CEO Fahad Al Hassawi. “The solid revenue growth was coupled with strong profitability, translating into a 25.1 per cent increase in net profit.”

du sees solid subscriber growth

The company reported a 10.8 per cent year-on-year increase in mobile subscribers, reaching 9.1m, including 893,000 net additions.

Postpaid subscriptions rose 9.8 per cent to 1.9m, while prepaid customers grew 11.1 per cent to 7.3m.

Fixed-line subscriptions rose 12 per cent year-on-year to 706,000, supported by continued demand for Home Wireless and fibre broadband services.

Segment performance

• Mobile revenues climbed 7.7 per cent to Dhs1.7bn, reflecting growth in customer base and marketing campaigns.
• Fixed revenues rose 10.1 per cent to Dhs1.1bn, driven by higher adoption in consumer and SME segments.
• Other revenues increased by 8.8 per cent to Dhs1.1bn, supported by handset sales, ICT revenues and inbound roaming.

Strategic progress

During the quarter, du launched the UAE’s first sovereign hyperscale cloud platform, the National Hypercloud, and advanced its hyperscale data centre deployment in partnership with Microsoft.

The company also rolled out 5G Advanced and expanded fibre coverage.

“We are enabling sovereign hyperscale cloud and AI services from UAE-based data centres, empowering a smarter, more connected future for the Emirates,” said chairman Malek Al Malek.

Capex and cash flow

Capital expenditure increased by 23.1 per cent to Dhs545m, reflecting investments in digital infrastructure and data centres.

Operating free cash flow rose 13.8 per cent to Dhs1.28bn.

Capital intensity rose to 14 per cent from 12.3 per cent in Q2 2024.

The company reaffirmed its 2025 full-year guidance, with revenue expected to grow 6 to 8 per cent and EBITDA margin targeted between 45 to 47 per cent.

The guidance was upgraded based on strong results and sustained growth momentum.