Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, has partnered with The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia’s premier commercial helicopter operator, to offer integrated luxury air and ground mobility services in the kingdom, the companies said on Tuesday.

The collaboration will combine premium helicopter travel with chauffeur-driven ground transport, initially positioning Blacklane’s services as first- and last-mile connections for THC helicopter journeys.

The two companies are also exploring deeper technology integration across their digital platforms, including mobile applications, to expand Blacklane’s service offerings in the future.

“Our partnership with The Helicopter Company represents a bold step toward redefining luxury mobility,” said Dr Jens Wohltorf, founder and chief executive of Blacklane.

“By combining Blacklane’s world-class chauffeur services with The Helicopter Company’s expertise in the air, we are creating a prestigious experience for discerning travelers, bringing skylines and expressways together for the first time,” he added.

The Helicopter company collab will integrate premium ground and air services

Captain Arnaud Martinez, chief executive of The Helicopter Company, said the partnership supports the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and the kingdom’s broader transport ambitions.

“By integrating premium ground and air services, we are enhancing the traveler journey and contributing to the kingdom’s vision for a smarter, more connected transport ecosystem,” he said.

As part of the agreement, Blacklane and THC will jointly design and test the end-to-end guest journey, including trial flights and coordinated first- and last-mile trips.

The initial focus will be on high-demand routes from Riyadh and other premium travel hubs, with plans to launch the integrated service in selected markets following successful trials.

Blacklane, headquartered in Berlin, operates chauffeur services across six continents and works with tens of thousands of chauffeur partners worldwide.

The Helicopter Company was established under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund strategy to support Vision 2030 and has been operating since mid-2019 with a fleet of more than 60 aircraft serving emergency medical services, aerial work, private charters and tourism.

Read: Blacklane elevates Dubai service with Rolls-Royce Platinum Class

The UAE net wealth climbed to a record $3.12tn in 2024, driven by strong gains in financial wealth and real assets, according to Boston Consulting Group’s latest Global Wealth Report 2025.

Financial wealth in the UAE rose 9.5 per cent between 2023 and 2024 to $1.15tn, up from $1.05tn a year earlier, the report showed.

Real assets grew at a faster pace of 10.2 per cent, reaching $2.18tn in 2024 from $1.98tn in 2023.

Liabilities increased 9.8 per cent to $207bn over the same period, reflecting what BCG described as steady and balanced growth.

BCG projects real assets to expand further to $3.21 tn by 2029, while financial wealth is expected to reach $1.63tn over the same period, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.3 per cent.

Investable wealth is forecast to rise from $942bn in 2024 to $1.34tn by 2029, at a CAGR of 7.2 per cent.

Wealth in the UAE growing steadily driven by several factors

The report said wealth in the UAE continues to grow steadily, but the drivers of that growth are shifting. Many firms still rely on market performance, mergers and acquisitions, and advisor recruitment to generate revenues.

However, BCG warned these levers alone are no longer sufficient, with internal capabilities increasingly determining which firms outperform.

“Companies that strategically prioritise advisor development, strengthen their brand identity, and embrace next-generation client strategies are outpacing their competitors, not only in revenue generation but also in achieving higher valuation multiples,” said Lukasz Rey, managing director and partner at BCG.

BCG’s analysis showed cross-border wealth in the UAE surged 11.1 per cent between 2023 and 2024, reflecting rising demand for geographic diversification and safe-haven markets.

Equities and currency and deposits were the largest asset classes in 2024, valued at $374bn and $306bn respectively, and are projected to grow to $554bn and $435bn by 2029. Bonds, though smaller at $15bn in 2024, are the fastest-growing asset class, expected to reach $25bn by 2029, with a CAGR of 11 per cent.

Life insurance and pensions stood at $24bn in 2024 and are projected to rise to $32bn by 2029, while other assets, including alternative investments, totalled $428bn and are forecast to increase to $586bn over the same period.

According to BCG, organic growth is emerging as a central priority for wealth managers, underpinned by clearer brand differentiation, GenAI-driven client acquisition, data-led recommendation systems and more tailored engagement with younger, digital-native investors.

“In the UAE’s fast-evolving wealth landscape, success will hinge on more than market momentum,” said Mohammad Khan, managing director and partner at BCG. “It will depend on how effectively firms integrate AI and human insight to deliver hyper-personalised client experiences.”

Saudi Arabia has officially revoked fees previously imposed on expatriate workers employed in industrial establishments licensed under an industrial license. The decision was approved by the Council of Ministers, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, following a recommendation from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), according to the Saudi Gazette.

Read more-Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate slows to 1.9% in November

The move underscores the kingdom’s ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering its industrial sector. It aligns with the Crown Prince’s strategic focus on strengthening national factories, enhancing their sustainability, and boosting global competitiveness. Authorities emphasised that these efforts are central to achieving Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of building a resilient and competitive industrial economy under Saudi Vision 2030, with industry serving as a cornerstone for diversifying the national economy.

Investment licenses reach record high

In parallel, Saudi Arabia reported unprecedented growth in investment activity, issuing 6,986 investment licenses in Q3 2025, marking an 83 per cent year-on-year increase and the highest quarterly total on record, according to the Ministry of Investment. The figure also represents a 69 per cent rise compared to Q2 2025, when 4,125 licenses were granted.

The data excludes licenses issued under the National Anti-Commercial Concealment Program (Tasattur), highlighting robust growth in genuine investment initiatives. The upward trajectory has been consistent over recent years, with quarterly licenses rising from 1,216 in Q1 2022 to 4,615 in Q4 2024, before climbing further to a record high in Q3 2025. Total licenses issued in the first nine months of 2025 reached 15,728, surpassing the full-year total of 14,320 licenses in 2024.

Construction, trade, and manufacturing lead growth

The construction sector led the surge in Q3, with 2,583 licenses, a 143 percent year-on-year increase. Wholesale and retail trade followed with 1,214 licenses, up 234 per cent, while manufacturing recorded 803 licenses, representing a 34 per cent rise. Together, these three sectors accounted for roughly two-thirds of total licenses issued.

Other sectors also posted strong gains. Licenses in accommodation and food services more than doubled to 563, information and communications rose 52 per cent to 517, and transportation and storage increased 69 per cent to 314. However, some sectors, including professional, educational, technical activities, agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying, and other services, recorded declines compared to the previous year.

The Ministry of Investment attributed the surge to Saudi Arabia’s growing appeal as an investment destination, fueled by a stable regulatory framework, business-friendly reforms, and ongoing economic diversification efforts. Combined with the removal of expat fees in the industrial sector, these initiatives signal a concerted effort by the Kingdom to attract talent, stimulate growth, and reinforce its position as a global economic hub.

With Dubai expected to experience adverse weather conditions in the coming hours. Dubai Police sent out a public safety alert on Thursday evening (December 18) asking people not to step out until absolutely necessary until mid-day on Friday, December 19.

The UAE has been experiencing weather fluctuations this week.

Authorities have warned residents to stay away from beaches, refrain from sailing, steer clear of valleys and areas prone to flash floods.

Dubai Police has asked motorists to exercise caution and drive safely.

Sharjah Police echoed the warning, calling on motorists to exercise caution during rainy conditions by slowing down, keeping a safe distance between vehicles and remaining alert to the heightened risk of accidents.

Drivers were also advised to stay away from dams and valleys.

Weather conditions leading up to the weekend

The UAE is set for several days of unstable weather through the weekend, with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasting periods of cloudiness, rainfall, strong winds and rough seas.

Convective clouds are expected to bring rain to islands as well as coastal, northern and eastern areas, while winds may strengthen at times, causing blowing dust, reduced visibility and challenging marine conditions.

The most severe conditions are expected on Thursday and Friday, with scattered heavy rain, lightning and possible hail, wind speeds reaching up to 65 km/h, a drop in temperatures and rough to very rough seas in the Arabian Gulf.

Conditions are forecast to gradually improve from Saturday, with lighter rain possible in some areas and moderating sea conditions by Sunday.

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has launched its Digital Economy Trends (DET) 2026 report, forecasting 9.5 per cent growth in the global digital economy next year—around three times faster than overall global economic growth. The report was unveiled at the Development Finance Conference “MOMENTUM” and outlines the technological and societal forces expected to reshape global innovation, productivity, and economic activity.

Based on primary survey data from more than 400 policymakers, economists, and technology leaders across 26 countries, the DET 2026 report identifies 18 major digital economy trends and evaluates their anticipated impact on governments, industries, and societies. According to respondents’ outlook, the global digital economy is projected to reach approximately $28tr in 2026, accounting for 22 per cent of global GDP.

DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya said: “The digital economy is reshaping our world with unprecedented speed, and the true test of this new era will be whether its benefits reach everyone. The next wave of AI-driven innovation will only be as inclusive as the foundations we build today. With the Digital Economy Trends 2026 report, we call on the global community to act decisively—so that technology becomes not a divider, but a bridge to opportunity, resilience, and shared prosperity for all. The future of the digital economy will be defined not by the speed of innovation, but by how inclusively it is built. This report is a call to strengthen the foundations that make AI accessible, safe, and empowering for all and to act together before the gap becomes irreversible.”

Cybersecurity and ambient intelligence lead near-term impact

The report identifies strengthening end-to-end cybersecurity and the dawn of ambient intelligence as the two trends expected to deliver the most significant positive socio-economic impact in 2026.

Cyber-resilience has emerged as the top priority amid increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, widening capability gaps, and emerging risks associated with generative AI and future quantum computing. At the same time, advances in connectivity and localised AI are enabling ambient intelligent systems that integrate seamlessly into daily life—creating new experiences and efficiencies while heightening the need for robust safeguards and responsible use.

Looking further ahead over a three- to five-year horizon, the report highlights converging frontier technologies as the most transformative force shaping the digital economy. Rapid advances in AI are accelerating breakthroughs across robotics, spatial computing, biotechnology, and other fields, expanding experimentation while introducing new challenges related to workforce transition, digital governance, infrastructure resilience, and safety standards.

Trillions in economic value at stake

DET 2026 underscores the scale of economic opportunity associated with digital transformation as technologies mature and scale globally. Key areas of potential value creation include up to $4.14tr from immersive hybrid technologies, nearly $4.91tr from AI-driven workforce transformation, and around $3.63tr linked to the holistic transformation of digital trade.

The report also estimates approximately $3.13tr in potential value from strengthening end-to-end cybersecurity and investing in resilient digital infrastructure, reinforcing the strategic importance of cyber preparedness as digital systems become more deeply embedded across economies.

Preparedness varies across regions

While the digital economy’s growth trajectory is clear, the report notes uneven levels of preparedness across regions and sectors. The private sector is viewed by respondents as the best prepared to respond to the digital economy trends shaping 2026, highlighting the need for stronger public-private collaboration to close capability gaps and ensure inclusive outcomes.

Building on earlier editions, DET 2026 provides a structured, evidence-based view of how the digital economy is evolving worldwide. Used alongside the DCO’s Digital Economy Navigator (DEN), which measures countries’ digital maturity, the report offers policymakers and business leaders a dual lens on both future direction and readiness. Together, these tools aim to help governments, industry, and international partners focus digital strategies and investments where they can deliver the greatest impact.