Emirates has launched the Emirates Courier Express, an end-to-end delivery solution that is set to redefine the express delivery experience.

The airline introduces this service after nearly four decades of transporting people and goods worldwide.

Emirates worked with various global customers to pilot and refine the product, aiming to make it as fast, reliable, and flexible as possible before launching to the market.

Emirates Courier Express has transported thousands of packages from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa, and the UK. Over the last year, the average delivery time has been less than 48 hours.

The service is now open for businesses to use, an Emirates media report said.

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“Emirates Courier Express is an evolution in how we move goods across the globe, at speed and scale. Building on our world-class, well-established infrastructure and reimagining traditional logistics processes where necessary, this innovative solution not only meets the Emirates Gold Standard of reliability and excellence but sets a new benchmark for what’s possible. This is just the beginning of our vision to continuously innovate and lead the charge in the express delivery sector,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo.

How it delivers the packages

Emirates Courier Express ensures that packages move directly from the point of origin to the destination. This is achieved by leveraging the breadth of Emirates’ vast global network and near-unparalleled flight frequencies.

The system not only reduces transit time and package handling but also offers Emirates Courier Express customers a competitive edge in getting their goods to end users. Direct connectivity is matched with different service levels, ranging from next-day urgent delivery to a two-day Premium service, with additional innovative products on the horizon.

Courier service reach

At launch, Emirates Courier Express is active in seven markets, with limitless potential for network growth: wherever Emirates flies, Emirates Courier Express can deliver. Expansion into additional markets is already in the works.

Harnessing the fleet of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates Courier Express has access to over 250 widebody passenger and freighter aircraft to move packages worldwide.

Complemented by a trusted, reliable, and integrated cross-border network of partners to manage customs clearance and first- and last-mile transportation, the solution provides door-to-door delivery. This integration into the airline’s existing infrastructure allows Emirates Courier Express to handle volume fluctuations from seasonal spikes while maintaining cost stability, ultimately empowering customers to plan and budget with confidence.

Bespoke and tailored solutions for customers

This seamless integration also enables Emirates Courier Express to offer bespoke and tailored solutions, whether transporting fashion, mobile phones, or the most critical medical equipment.

A team of dedicated specialists provides niche segment solutions, facilitated by the airline’s extensive freight and logistics infrastructure, including cool chain capacity for the transportation of specialist or sensitive products.

How exactly does the service work?

Prioritizing ease of business, Emirates Courier Express is entirely digital, with a purpose-built tech platform that integrates directly into customer software and supports additional bespoke shipping solutions.

Advanced tracking systems, real-time updates, and seamless integration ensure complete efficiency, reliability, quality, and transparency from collection to delivery across the globe.

“Emirates Courier Express is the result of challenging the status quo. Along with the industry, we observed the increasing volumes of cross-border shipping and challenged ourselves to find a better way to transport goods faster and more efficiently. The new product launch reflects our ongoing commitment to push boundaries, introducing innovations that drive real impact and ensure our customers always have access to the fastest, most reliable, and cost-effective solutions available,” said Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation, Emirates SkyCargo.

Saudi Arabia is considering implementing caps on the rents of both residential and commercial properties.

According to a report in the Saudi Gazette, this move aims to address the rising rent prices. Abdullah Al Hammad, the CEO of the Real Estate General Authority (REGA), confirmed this on Tuesday, April 1.

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This initiative is part of an effort led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to rebalance the real estate market in Riyadh, Al Hammad emphasized while speaking to Al Arabiya.

“The Crown Prince’s directives focus on increasing supply by lifting development restrictions in the northern parts of the capital, releasing new plots, regulating lease agreements, and maintaining regular market oversight,” Al Hammad said.

The initiative also includes the finalisation of the new White Land Tax law, which aims to boost housing supply and curb the rise in property and rental prices.

Saudi authorities have also lifted the ban on transactions related to sales, purchases, subdivisions, and permits for 81 million square meters of land in northern Riyadh. This move is designed to ease supply constraints and encourage new residential development.

Increase in provision of residential plots

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has also been tasked with providing between 10,000 and 40,000 planned and developed residential plots annually over the next five years, depending on demand.

Prices of the plots

The prices of these plots are capped at SR1,500 per square meter for eligible Saudi citizens, including married individuals and those over the age of 25, with specific conditions prohibiting resale or transfer for 10 years unless for financing construction.

Other reforms to be introduced include new regulations to govern landlord-tenant relations and ensure fair terms for both parties.

REGA and the Royal Commission will also be responsible for monitoring property prices and submitting regular reports to the concerned authorities.

Gold prices extended their gains on Wednesday, April 2, following a record high in the previous session, as investors sought the comfort of the safe-haven metal in anticipation of the potential impact of US reciprocal tariffs.

Spot gold was up by 0.2 per cent at $3,116.72 an ounce, as of 0500 GMT. Bullion touched an all-time high of $3,148.88 on Tuesday.

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US gold futures were steady at $3,116.72.

“The main reason for these successive record highs has been safe-haven buying, and the geo-political uncertainty underpinning this shows no sign of letting up,” said Philip Newman, managing director of Metals Focus.

Economic slowdown

A US economic slowdown, potential rise in inflation, and interest rate cuts could set the stage for gold to reach $3,300 in the coming months, Newman said.

Suspense surrounded the market ahead of the US tariffs set to be imposed later in the day, which President Donald Trump has called “Liberation Day.”

Trump’s tariff’s

Trump’s tariff policies could flare up inflation, slow economic growth and escalate trade disputes.

Gold, a hedge against global instabilities and inflation, thrives in a low-interest-rate environment.

The White House confirmed new tariffs will be imposed, though it provided no details on the size or scope.

Bullion’s rally has also been fuelled by strong central bank demand, expectations of interest rate easing by the Federal Reserve and increased flows into gold-backed exchange traded funds.

Market situation

“The market could test $3,400/oz over the next 9 months in a bull case scenario,” said Aakash Doshi, global head of gold strategy at State Street Global Advisors.

Fed officials are concerned that employment could slip, but the threat of tariff-driven inflation limits their ability to do anything about it.

Markets await ADP employment report due later in the day, and non-farm payrolls due on Friday.

Visa has offered Apple roughly $100m to take over the tech giant’s credit card partnership from Mastercard, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday (April 1), citing sources familiar with the matter.

Visa has made a bold push to secure the Apple Card, offering an upfront payment typically reserved for the largest card programs, WSJ reported.

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Visa declined to Reuters’ request for comment.

American Express is also trying to unseat Mastercard to win the Apple card. Amex is looking to become the card’s issuer as well as the network, the report said, citing the sources.

Goldman Sachs and Apple, which launched their credit card partnership in 2019 with Mastercard as the payment processor, have ended the alliance, according to a report from November 2023.

MGX and Silver Lake are new minority shareholders in Khazna Data Centers, alongside majority stakeholder G42.

The investment marks a significant development in Khazna’s expansion, reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing hyperscale data centre networks globally.

As part of the transaction, e& has exited its investment in Khazna but will continue to be a key business partner.

The company has played a critical role in Khazna’s success and will maintain its collaboration in delivering AI-grade connectivity and advanced digital infrastructure solutions.

Khazna eyes expansion with support of investors

“Our ambition is to enable the growth of artificial intelligence and digital economies by delivering data centres that are designed to handle the high-density computing requirements essential for the applications powering the future economy,” said Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers.

“With G42, and now the additional support of MGX and Silver Lake, two leading global investors, we are well-positioned to accelerate our global expansion plans and enhance our AI-optimised capabilities for a new, digitised world.”

With the backing of G42, MGX, and Silver Lake, Khazna is set to further expand its footprint in key markets, supporting the growing demand for cutting-edge data centre solutions.