The Dubai Land department (DLD) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Emirates NBD to enhance regulatory processes and streamline real estate transactions.

The agreement sets out a joint framework for conducting technical and regulatory studies, focusing on the development of streamlined mechanisms for property transaction registration and delivering financial solutions to improve the overall customer experience.

As part of the partnership, two key studies will be launched. The first will explore ways to optimise the registration process for real estate transactions concluded outside the UAE, while the second will examine how financial services can be better integrated to simplify the registration of property sales.

DLD aims to advance real estate registration services

Omar Hamad BuShehab, DG of DLD, said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve market transparency and efficiency. “This partnership marks a significant step toward establishing a shared knowledge base that opens up new horizons for advancing real estate registration services, thereby further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global destination for real estate investment,” he said.

The collaboration is aligned with the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, which aims to build a competitive and innovation-driven property sector.

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, vice chairman and MD of Emirates NBD, said the bank’s involvement reflects a commitment to enhancing customer-centric services in real estate. “Integrated offerings under this collaboration will help enhance the property transaction experience while building greater confidence among market participants,” he said.

The partnership is seen as a model for cooperation between public and private sectors, supporting Dubai’s ambition to create a resilient real estate ecosystem capable of adapting to global shifts and accelerating digital transformation.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with telecom provider e&, has completed the installation of free Wi-Fi on all 259 of its intercity buses, enhancing connectivity for thousands of daily commuters.

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The initiative covers routes linking Dubai with other emirates, including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Fujairah. Passengers can now access complimentary Wi-Fi throughout their journeys using smartphones, tablets, or laptops.

Officials say the move is aimed at improving the commuting experience and giving passengers the flexibility to work, stay in touch, or browse the internet while travelling.

The rollout aligns with the UAE Digital Government Strategy and is part of RTA’s wider efforts to drive digital transformation across its transport services. It also supports Dubai’s broader vision of becoming the world’s smartest and happiest city.

“The service will undergo continuous assessment in collaboration with e&,” the RTA said in a statement, adding that future enhancements are already being explored. Authorities are also considering expanding Wi-Fi connectivity to marine transport services.

By integrating technology into public transportation, the RTA aims to boost passenger satisfaction and encourage more residents to use sustainable modes of travel.

This latest upgrade reinforces Dubai’s position as a leader in smart urban mobility and digital infrastructure.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, has unveiled ambitious plans for the airline’s growth in 2025, targeting approximately 21.5 million passengers by the end of the year, more than double the number recorded in 2022.

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Speaking with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Neves outlined how this growth will be supported by a significant fleet expansion. The airline expects to receive 18 new aircraft by the end of the year, with two already added to the fleet and 16 more scheduled for delivery in the coming months. Having transported over 10 million passengers during the first half of the year, Etihad is on track to close 2025 with a fleet size between 115 and 120 aircraft.

Fleet expansion and financial growth drive ambitious targets

Neves highlighted the airline’s impressive financial trajectory in recent years. Etihad Airways reached financial break-even in 2022, achieved a profit margin of 3 percent in 2023, and increased this to approximately 6 percent last year. This year, the company expects profit margins to rise further to between 7 and 8 percent.

“Our strategy is focused on gradually expanding margins each year,” Neves said. “We are funding our growth through internal cash flows, which contributes to sustainable financial performance.”

The planned fleet expansion plays a critical role in this strategy. Neves also addressed operational challenges, noting that the airline anticipated delays in aircraft delivery from manufacturers. To maintain growth momentum, Etihad accelerated the induction of leased aircraft and reintroduced seven A380 aircraft into service.

The airline is gearing up for an even larger expansion in the coming years. Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Etihad’s hub, is well-equipped to support this growth. Neves revealed plans to grow the fleet to around 200 aircraft and serve between 38 and 39 million passengers by 2030—effectively doubling the company’s size over the next five years.

Strengthening global network and market presence

Etihad’s growth strategy extends beyond fleet expansion to enhancing its global network. The airline currently flies to nearly 100 destinations worldwide. However, Neves emphasized that growth isn’t only about adding new routes, but also increasing flight frequencies on existing routes to meet rising demand.

For instance, flights to Frankfurt and Barcelona have doubled to twice daily, while Bangkok now receives five daily flights during peak periods. Around two-thirds of the additional capacity is allocated to existing destinations, with only one-third targeting new markets.

New routes are also expanding. Atlanta began with five weekly flights and now operates daily service, while New York has increased from one daily flight 18 months ago to two today. Western destinations are now all served with daily flights, reflecting Etihad’s commitment to deepening its market position.

Looking ahead to 2030, the airline will focus on markets within a four-hour flight radius from Abu Dhabi, including India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. Etihad operates four daily flights to key destinations such as Colombo, Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai, and Muscat. The airline aims to offer at least two daily flights to all its destinations across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the eastern United States.

Neves also revealed a significant milestone: Etihad will soon take delivery of its first A321 Long Range aircraft, arriving this week in Hamburg. This narrow-body aircraft will be the first in the fleet to feature a first-class cabin with fully flat luxury seats, a “world’s best travel experience on a narrow-body aircraft,” according to Neves. This move marks a redefinition of regional travel standards for the airline.

Abu Dhabi’s growth fuels airline expansion

Neves praised Abu Dhabi’s rapid development as a major driver behind Etihad’s growth. The capital city’s population is increasing at an annual rate of 7 per cent, five to six times the global average, which is boosting demand for travel and services.

International events, exhibitions, conferences, and the expanding tourism and cultural sectors in Abu Dhabi are further stimulating travel to and from the capital.

“We have doubled our flight capacity in Abu Dhabi in just two and a half years,” Neves said. “This positions us as a major contributor to the city’s development, while also benefiting significantly from government investment in infrastructure and tourism.”

He concluded by underscoring Etihad’s vision for the future. The airline is now more agile and better positioned to respond to shifting market dynamics as it pursues its goal of becoming the preferred airline for travelers worldwide by offering exceptional service, flexibility, and smart expansion.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), in partnership with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), has shut down 77 social media accounts during the first half of 2025 for legal violations.

The action followed investigations by MoHRE, which revealed that these accounts were operating without official licences and engaging in the unauthorised recruitment of domestic workers—an explicit breach of regulations.

MoHRE has reiterated its call for employers, Emirati nationals, and resident families to deal only with licensed and approved domestic worker recruitment agencies when hiring. The Ministry warned against engaging with unofficial social media platforms that promote illegal recruitment services.

In an official statement, the Ministry stressed that “dealing with unlicensed domestic worker recruitment agencies and unreliable social media pages promoting domestic worker services could lead to customers losing their legal rights, which are guaranteed when they exclusively deal with Ministry-licensed and approved agencies.”

To support residents, the Ministry urges individuals to verify the credibility of any agency advertising domestic worker services through social media by contacting the call centre at 600590000.

A comprehensive list of licensed agencies across the UAE, including their names and locations, is available on the Ministry’s website: www.mohre.gov.ae.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has launched the “National AI Index,” a strategic initiative designed to assess and enhance government entities’ readiness to adopt artificial intelligence technologies. More than 180 representatives from participating government bodies took part in the first assessment cycle.

The index aims to evaluate institutional preparedness, monitor progress on an ongoing basis, and offer tailored recommendations to accelerate AI development efforts and generate national-level impact. It is designed to align government actions with Saudi Arabia’s strategic priorities in AI and support the realisation of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Three pillars

Structured around three main pillars, seven core dimensions, and 23 subcategories, the National AI Index provides a comprehensive framework to assess AI maturity across government entities. It delivers data-driven insights into the level of institutional AI adoption and offers guidance to build innovative, sustainable AI capabilities in priority sectors.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s digital government achievements highlighted through national performance indicators

The index is part of SDAIA’s wider mandate as the national authority for data and AI, responsible for regulating, developing, and overseeing their application across the Kingdom. Through this initiative, SDAIA aims to empower public sector organisations to improve performance and embrace digital transformation, ultimately contributing to a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

By serving as both a benchmarking and capacity-building tool, the National AI Index supports the Kingdom’s long-term ambitions to become a global leader in AI deployment and digital governance.