Cityscape Global 2025 opened in Riyadh in the presence of senior Saudi government representatives, international decision-makers, and industry leaders from across the global real estate sector. Sponsored by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in partnership with REGA, Vision 2030 and the Housing Program, and organised by Tahaluf, Cityscape Global remains Saudi Arabia’s flagship platform for real estate investment and urban transformation. The opening marked a significant moment for the kingdom as it brought together national leadership, global delegates, and major developers under a unified theme dedicated to The Future of Urban Living.

The ceremony began with an opening address from Majed bin Abdullah Al Hogail, minister of Municipalities and Housing, who emphasised Saudi Arabia’s real estate growth and its rising global prominence in urban development. He highlighted the exhibition’s role as a national platform reflecting the kingdom’s ambition to build smart cities, modern lifestyles, and a world-class real estate economy founded on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

Read more-Cityscape Global 2025 returns to Riyadh with expanded agenda and global participation

At the end of his address, Al Hogail said:
“Let us move forward together with confidence toward an urban future worthy of a nation whose people build its legacy and write its chapters of progress with global standards and a steadfast national vision.”

Following his remarks were interviews with Kim Yun Duk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the Republic of Korea; Dr Khalfan bin Said bin Mubarak Al Shuaili, minister of Housing and Urban Planning for the Sultanate of Oman; and then remarks from Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, governor of Aseer Region and chairman of the Aseer Development Authority. Their participation set a strong strategic foundation for a week dedicated to collaboration, investment, and discussions around the Cityscape 2025 theme.

Major announcements, partnerships and investments

Following the opening addresses, the event transitioned into a series of major project announcements that marked the tone for day one. Al Hogail revealed that the value of deals signed over the first two days of Cityscape Global will total $43bn. The announcements introduced major residential and mixed-use projects that reflected sustained confidence in the Saudi market and built on the momentum of last year’s opening. The strong flow of investment this year highlighted the continued acceleration of the real estate sector in Saudi Arabia and the growing interest from domestic and international players.

Major developers confirmed significant new deals during the opening program. NHC announced more than $26bn in new projects. Mohammad Albuty, NHC CEO, said the company continues to expand access to high-quality residential options and support large-scale community development across Saudi Arabia.

The King Salman Park Foundation (KSPF) revealed $1bn in new development value. KSPF CEO George Tanasijevich noted that the investment reflects continued progress toward delivering one of the world’s largest urban parks, featuring integrated residential, cultural, environmental, and commercial components.

Developer investments signal strong confidence in the market

Ajdan confirmed projects valued at $3.1bn, spanning more than 950,000 square metre of visionary mixed-use destinations including Sports Boulevard, Khobar Pier, Ajdan Towers, and Grand Square. Mohammed bin Abdulmohsen Al Otaibi, CEO of Ajdan, stated that the new deals highlight strong demand for high-quality urban destinations and waterfront living.

Retal added further activity to the day with new developments valued at $3.1bn and totalling 1,130,637 square metre in land area. These include Deera, Jewar Al Haram, Retal Heights, Ewan Makkah, Ayala Hills, and Sedra 4G residence.

Al Majdiah continued the momentum by announcing $2.5bn in residential and community projects. Khaled AlMajed, Al Majdiah Chairman, said the developments reinforce the company’s commitment to creating vibrant and liveable neighborhoods that support national growth.

Saudi Arabia strengthens its position as a real estate hub

Diriyah Company delivered an update marking a strategic shift from its traditional offerings, announcing the $1.5bn launch of the company’s first non-branded residential units, called Manazel Al Hadawi. This move widens access to the heritage-led district and responds to evolving demand patterns across the market. The new category represents its first launch aimed at a broader, more accessible audience, allowing more people to live within the landmark masterplan.

Mohammad Al Habib Real Estate, led by CEO Abdullah Al Habib, announced a major new residential development valued at $1.3bn. The project, named Tura, will span 250,000 square metre, marking a significant addition to the company’s growing portfolio of large-scale real estate ventures.

Al Othaim, through Abdulrahman Al Qoot, chief of the Residential Sector, announced $1.1bn in new developments. These include 236,000+ square metre of high-end retail, hospitality, and leisure spaces with 3,600+ units within Al Othaim Konooz, Madinah and Al Othaim Konooz, Khamis Mushait.

Rachel Sturgess, SVP at Tahaluf, said:
“The scale of investment announced at Cityscape Global today demonstrates the sector’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s long-term urban development vision. In addition, [it showcases] how Cityscape Global continues to function as a leading platform for translating investment deals into tangible projects and economic opportunity.”

Conferences, workshops and strategic engagements across the venue

The event program continued across the venue with conferences, workshops, design showcases, investor briefings, and innovation sessions. These sessions will run throughout the next three days and bring together leaders from architecture, construction, PropTech, urban planning, and investment. Topics include future cities, sustainability, generative artificial intelligence, digital planning tools, affordable housing, and new models for community-centered design.

Foundation Partners of Cityscape Global include NHC, Diriyah Company, ROSHN Group, New Murabba, Qiddiya City, and Rua AlHaram AlMakki Co.

Cityscape Global has accelerated opportunities for collaboration and investment in Riyadh and continues to support national development objectives by bringing global expertise to Saudi Arabia. The strong opening reflects the ongoing growth of the real estate sector and the appetite for long-term partnerships across local and global markets. With leadership participation, multi-billion-dollar announcements, and a program designed around innovation and future-focused development, Cityscape Global 2025 began with a strong and unified commitment to shaping the future of urban living in the kingdom.

Emirates is advancing into the next phase of its extensive fleet retrofit programme, with 60 Airbus A380s and 51 Boeing 777s lined up for a sweeping cabin upgrade that introduces the airline’s latest onboard innovations.

Beginning August 2026, the carrier will roll out a new suite of products across both aircraft types, including next-generation seating, an immersive inflight entertainment system, and enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity powered by Starlink. The initiative forms a central pillar of Emirates’ broader fleet modernisation strategy, designed to deliver a consistent and elevated travel experience across its global network.

Emirates Engineering, working alongside long-standing partners Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS, will lead the retrofit effort on 111 aircraft in this phase. The upgrades will include new seating concepts and a redesigned onboard lounge on 60 A380s, all paired with Panasonic’s advanced Astrova inflight entertainment (IFE) system. The integrated approach underscores the airline’s focus on ensuring product consistency and premium comfort across its flagship wide-body fleet.

Deep partnerships fuel product innovation

Emirates’ long history of driving cabin innovation remains central to the retrofit strategy. The airline has worked closely with aircraft manufacturers, seating specialists, and IFE suppliers to deliver incremental improvements in passenger comfort, privacy, and technology. Its commitment to product excellence means the Dubai-based carrier is in constant dialogue with key partners to evaluate emerging cabin furnishings, next-gen entertainment platforms, and advanced cabin technologies. Emirates has regularly demonstrated a willingness to invest at scale to realise its long-term ambitions for a modernised, future-ready fleet.

Read more-Boeing lands $38bn Dubai Airshow lift as Emirates orders 65 more 777X

Sir Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline, reaffirmed this commitment, noting that the programme is designed to elevate standards across the entire fleet. “Working with our long-standing partners, we’re taking this commitment a step further with the aim of delivering product consistency at scale, in tandem with next-generation innovations in seating, entertainment, and connectivity being brought into service with our newly delivered fleet,” he said. “Our customers expect an excellent experience every time they fly Emirates, and this investment ensures we deliver on that promise in the years to come, wherever they travel with us.”

Cabin enhancements across all classes

Business Class Upgrades

Business Class on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will be equipped with Emirates’ latest generation of seating, inspired by the leather S Lounge seats by Safran already installed on the airline’s A350 aircraft. The updated design enhances privacy and comfort, with a focus on thoughtful finishing touches. Features include wireless charging integrated into the side cocktail table, customisable lighting, multiple charging options including USB-C and wireless ports, and a 4K ice entertainment experience. Additional storage and minibar amenities round out the more sophisticated and personalised seating environment.

Premium Economy Evolution

Premium Economy, the airline’s newest cabin class, will also receive an upgrade featuring Recaro’s advanced mechanical-recline seating technology. The spacious leather seats continue to offer generous comfort with integrated leg- and footrests, adjustable headrests, in-seat charging, a side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen. The enhancements are intended to maintain the balance Emirates aims to strike between value and premium-level comfort.

Economy Class Refinements

Economy Class passengers will experience the introduction of Safran’s lightweight Z400 seats, designed specifically with long-haul travel needs in mind. The seats feature an eight-way adjustable headrest, engineered for enhanced neck and head support, complemented by other technology-driven conveniences intended to elevate comfort even in the most affordable cabin class.

Next-generation IFE and connectivity

Astrova IFE Across A380 and 777 Fleets

As part of the retrofit, Emirates has selected Panasonic Avionics to upgrade IFE systems on both the A380 and Boeing 777 fleets using the cutting-edge Astrova platform. The system reflects Emirates’ ambition to deliver high-fidelity, cinema-grade entertainment experiences onboard.

Passengers will benefit from 4K OLED HDR10+ displays that deliver vivid colours, infinite contrast, and deep blacks comparable to premium home theatre screens. Spatial Audio technology creates a multi-dimensional soundscape, compatible with both Emirates’ premium headsets and passengers’ own Bluetooth-enabled devices. With 67W of USB-C charging power at every seat, travellers can maintain full device power throughout long-haul journeys. The modular structure of the Astrova system will also allow Emirates to upgrade individual elements, such as displays and power units, over time as technology evolves.

Enhanced digital experiences

The platform integrates Panasonic’s Arc 3D 4K Moving Map, offering an immersive flight-tracking experience. Emirates Skywards members will benefit from personalised content recommendations via the platform’s intelligent recommendation engine, which learns from preference patterns. On the backend, real-time engagement analytics enable Emirates to refine and update its content library to align with customer viewing trends.

Fleet-wide starlink rollout

Emirates is complementing its IFE upgrades with the installation of Starlink’s high-speed inflight connectivity across its A380 and 777 aircraft. By synchronising the connectivity rollout with the existing retrofit schedule, the airline aims to accelerate deployment and deliver a seamless digital experience across its worldwide network.

Scaling an ambitious retrofit plan

The ongoing retrofit programme reflects Emirates’ multi-year commitment to continuous investment in its fleet. Initially announced in 2021 with 120 aircraft slated for refurbishment, the programme was expanded to 191 aircraft in May 2024, and again later that year to cover 219 aircraft, one of the largest initiatives of its kind globally.

To date, 76 aircraft have been fully refurbished. Each A380 requires roughly 22 days to complete a retrofit, while each Boeing 777 takes approximately 18 days. Emirates maintains a steady pace, with two fully upgraded aircraft emerging from the programme each month.

These aircraft are then deployed across global routes, progressively raising the consistency and quality of the onboard experience across the entire network.

By integrating upgraded seating, advanced entertainment, and high-speed connectivity, Emirates is reinforcing its commitment to offering a consistent, top-tier travel experience. As the retrofit programme scales into its latest phase, the airline is positioning itself to deliver elevated service standards for years to come, aligning innovation, product design, and connectivity in a unified strategic vision.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said on November 17, that the UAE will experience a period of unstable weather from Tuesday until November 22, marked by morning humidity and the possibility of fog or light fog over several coastal and inland zones. Winds will be active at times, stirring dust in western regions, while the Arabian Gulf may become rough on certain days, according to a WAM report.

Mornings are expected to remain humid with recurring chances of fog or light fog, while daytime conditions will be generally fair to partly cloudy. Dusty intervals are most likely over western areas where winds are projected to strengthen. Wind speeds will range between light and moderate but may intensify to 40 km/hr, predominantly in western exposures.

Read more-Heavy rains forecast across Saudi Arabia through Tuesday

Marine conditions will vary between slight and rough in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, while temperatures are forecast to edge lower by Friday and Saturday.

NCM weather bulletin highlights stable but shifting conditions

The NCM’s Weather Bulletin for November 18, 2025 outlines the wider atmospheric setting shaping these conditions, noting that the UAE remains under the influence of weak surface pressure systems and an upper-level high-pressure extension. This combination is producing mostly stable weather with minor but consequential disturbances.

Throughout the 24-hour monitoring period, weather across the country is assessed as fair to partly cloudy, with intermittent dust concentrations in western sectors. During late evening and early morning hours, relative humidity is expected to rise noticeably across coastal and inland regions, creating persistent fog and mist risks.

Marine assessments show the Arabian Gulf moving from slight to moderate waves, turning rough in western waters by afternoon. The Sea of Oman is expected to hold slight and stable conditions.

Temperature and humidity trends across regions

The NCM notes a clear gradient in temperature and humidity across the UAE’s geographic zones. Coastal and island areas will see maximum temperatures between 30°C and 26°C and minimums between 22°C and 17°C, accompanied by humidity levels ranging from 90 per cent to 70 per cent at their peak. Internal regions may climb to 33°C during the day and drop to 12°C at night, with humidity also reaching 90 per cent at maximum. Mountainous regions remain cooler with highs of 25°C to 19°C.

Wind patterns across all regions will predominantly flow from the northeast to the northwest at 10–25 km/hr, peaking between 35–40 km/hr in exposed western areas.

Day-by-day outlook through November 22

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Conditions are expected to stay fair to partly cloudy with episodic dust, especially in western regions. Fog and mist will remain likely overnight, with northwesterly winds reaching up to 40 km/h. Sea conditions remain slight to moderate, turning rough westward in the Arabian Gulf.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Partly cloudy weather and western dust will persist. Low cloud layers may appear over western islands and waters. Fog and mist risks continue, with winds of 10–25 km/hr, occasionally hitting 40 km/hr. The Arabian Gulf may turn rough westward.

Friday, November, 21, 2025

A shift toward cooler temperatures is expected alongside partly cloudy and dusty conditions, with low clouds forming over western maritime zones. Winds remain moderate to strong, while marine conditions become moderate to rough in western Gulf waters.

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Cloud cover thickens over western areas, with dust drifting into northern and eastern sectors. Temperatures continue to decline, while the Arabian Gulf settles into slight to moderate conditions and the Sea of Oman remains slight.

Fog and mist may lead to road visibility challenges and possible aviation delays, while dust in western regions could affect logistics operations and outdoor work schedules. Rough seas in the western Arabian Gulf pose risks for maritime transport and port activities, prompting potential safety adjustments. The weekend’s temperature drop may influence short-term energy demand patterns as businesses recalibrate cooling requirements.

Aster DM Healthcare has secured Dhs265m in financing from Emirates Development Bank (EDB) to support the expansion of its healthcare network in Dubai, with flexibility to increase the facility for additional projects.

The funding will be used to develop two new multi-specialty hospitals in the emirate, adding more than 250 beds to Aster’s current capacity of around 920 beds.

Once fully operational, the expanded capacity is expected to allow treatment of more than 560,000 patients annually in the UAE, in addition to the 20 million patients the group serves across the Gulf region.

The agreement was signed by Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, and EDB CEO Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, in the presence of Alisha Moopen, Iqbal Khan and senior officials.

Aster currently operates 10 hospitals, 113 clinics and 298 pharmacies in the UAE under the Aster and Medcare brands. Its workforce includes 2,036 doctors and 4,063 nurses and healthcare professionals.

The new hospitals will employ more than 675 doctors, nurses and allied health staff once operational.

EDB, the UAE’s development bank, focuses on providing financial and non-financial support across five priority sectors: manufacturing, advanced technology, food security, healthcare and renewable energy.

The bank says its mandate is aimed at strengthening the private sector, boosting national capabilities and supporting economic diversification.

Aster said the financing follows its growing developmental impact in the UAE.

The company’s GCC operations have gained momentum across hospitals, clinics and pharmacies after a Fajr Capital-led consortium acquired a 65 percent stake in Aster’s GCC business in 2024.

The Moopen family continues to operate and manage the business.

“Healthcare is a mission-critical pillar of the UAE’s future. By empowering leading partners like Aster DM Healthcare to grow, we help unlock broader economic value for the nation,” Al Naqbi said. “This partnership expands access to quality care, builds national capabilities, and strengthens the UAE’s economic resilience and competitiveness.”

A key milestone in Aster’s journey

Alisha Moopen, MD and group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, said the expansion aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. “The partnership with Emirates Development Bank represents a significant milestone in Aster’s Dubai journey which will enable us to accelerate the expansion of high-quality, multi-specialty care in the UAE,” she said.

Iqbal Khan, CEO of Fajr Capital and board member of Aster DM Healthcare, said the announcement reflects Aster’s operational fundamentals and the long-term potential of the UAE healthcare sector.

Construction on the new hospitals is expected to begin in 2026, with phased commissioning to follow.

Aster said the expansion reinforces its commitment to providing accessible and world-class care in the UAE.

Boeing took centre stage at day one of the Dubai Airshow on Monday, booking a $38bn order from host carrier Emirates and clinching more deals with African carriers, while China displayed its C919 in the Middle East for the first time.

Thousands of guests flooded exhibition halls and a runway around Al Maktoum International Airport, where airplanes, helicopters and drones were on display.

The Middle East aerospace gala has in the past seen major order announcements as its regional carriers turned into some of the world’s biggest airlines, with local governments betting on tourism and transportation to diversify economies away from oil.

Emirates said on Monday it was ordering another 65 Boeing 777-9 jets, cementing its position as the world’s biggest buyer of wide-body jets as the US planemaker agreed to carry out a feasibility study for a larger version.

The purchase brings Emirates’ orders for the 777X family to 270 jets and comes despite recent delays in delivery of the world’s largest twin-engined jetliner. Analysts said part of the deal could incorporate compensation for earlier delays.

“It is a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of high-value factory jobs,” Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum told a news conference.

Bloomberg earlier reported that Emirates was set to place an order for dozens of 777X jets.

Boeing also said Ethiopian Airlines placed an order for a further 11 737 MAX 8 aircraft, while Air Senegal will purchase nine 737 MAX jets, with options for another six. Brazil’s Embraer posted orders from Air Cote d’Ivoire and Helvetica and hinted at higher production following a string of sales wins.

Eyes on Airbus while Chinese rival boosts presence

Airbus sat out Monday’s activity but looks set to beat Boeing to the lion’s share of a major order from flydubai at the show, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Freighters are also in demand as carriers renew fleets.

As the two Western giants top up their bulging order books, China’s COMAC has stepped up a marketing push for its C919 jetliner as it moves to compete on the global stage.

However, its two existing plane models – the C909 and C919 – lack key certifications from Western regulators, and analysts do not expect China to take a significant slice of the global jet market beyond deals with supportive countries any time soon.

Emirates backs feasibility study for 777-10

Emirates is the largest customer for the 777X, which is now seven years late after Boeing took a $4.9bn charge last month and announced a further one-year delay in deliveries to 2027.

Emirates’ president, Tim Clark, told a recent podcast hosted by Abu Dhabi-based The National that he hoped Boeing or Airbus would build larger models of their biggest long-haul jets, while describing both as “very risk-averse”.

Emirates, now in its 40th year, championed the Airbus A380 superjumbo, the world’s largest airliner, to feed its Dubai hub with long-haul passengers. But Airbus stopped producing the double-decker in 2021 after weak demand from other carriers.

Emirates said its agreement with Boeing “provides strong backing” for the study to be carried out by Boeing to develop a 777-10, a larger variant of its 777X family.

Airbus’ commercial aircraft CEO, Christian Scherer, told Reuters that Airbus was also studying a larger version of its A350 family.

First, Airbus must respond to calls from Emirates for improvements to its existing A350-1000 model, which the Dubai carrier has avoided due to concerns over maintenance costs.

Scherer, speaking at his last air show before retiring, said he was confident of winning Emirates support for the A350-1000 once the improvements had been demonstrated and that this effort could leave room for further growth in the product line-up.

The comments suggest it may be too early for Emirates to order the A350-1000 at this week’s show, despite speculation of a deal drawing a line under its earlier reluctance. Emirates, however, has voiced support for the recently introduced A350-900.