Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced an increase in flight frequencies to Baku, Azerbaijan, and Tbilisi, Georgia, in response to growing demand for affordable and direct travel from the UAE capital to popular leisure destinations.

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The airline now operates six weekly non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The new schedule includes flights every Tuesday through Sunday, offering greater flexibility for travellers visiting the Azerbaijani capital.

Starting August 7, the airline will also ramp up services to Tbilisi International Airport to eight weekly flights, including double daily service on Thursdays. The additional flights are expected to boost connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Georgia’s cultural and economic hub, a WAM report said.

Commitment to regional growth

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “The increased frequencies to both Baku and Tbilisi reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening our regional network while delivering greater convenience, flexibility, and value to our customers. These two vibrant cities remain popular among UAE residents and visitors alike.”

He added that the enhanced schedules will further reinforce travel and tourism ties between the UAE and these destinations, while offering a more seamless and accessible travel experience.

Network expansion continues

The airline continues to grow its route network from Abu Dhabi, with recent additions including Almaty in Kazakhstan and Yerevan in Armenia. These new routes align with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to expand in high-demand leisure and cultural markets across the region.

Since its launch, the low-cost carrier has focused on providing budget-friendly options and direct connections, supporting both tourism and economic links between the UAE and emerging destinations.

Gulf Business is set to host its first-ever event in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Saudi Business and Investment Summit, taking place on September 3, 2025, at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.

As the Kingdom accelerates its economic transformation under Vision 2030, the summit will gather influential voices from government, private enterprise, and global institutions to explore the key drivers behind Saudi Arabia’s sustained growth. The event is designed to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and high-level networking around the evolving opportunities in the Saudi market.

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/46TxMQw
View the full agenda: https://bit.ly/46lqC7u

Themed “Saudi Rising: Key Driving Forces behind the Kingdom’s Economic Growth”, the half-day summit will highlight the role of innovation, public-private collaboration, regulatory reform, and sector-specific investment in positioning Saudi Arabia as a globally competitive economy.

Attendees can expect an event filled with expert-led panels, keynote sessions, and fireside conversations with some of the most influential names shaping the Saudi’s business arena. Confirmed speakers include Charbel Sarkis, country director, Google Saudi Arabia; Michael Champion, CEO, Tahaluf; Saud Adham, director of policy & innovation, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia; Turki Alsubaihi, CEO Public Transport, SAPTC; and Main Canaan, general manager, GE Aerospace Middle East, and many more.

The summit agenda is anchored in actionable insights and real-world case studies that explore how businesses—local and international—can navigate and capitalise on Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation. From localisation and market entry to strategic partnerships and digitalisation, the discussions will cover key themes relevant to any business aiming to operate or expand within Saudi Arabia.

This milestone summit marks an expansion of Gulf Business’ regional footprint and reinforces its commitment to supporting economic dialogue and business intelligence across the GCC. For partnership and sponsorship enquiries, contact Manish Chopra at [email protected].

AI is transforming B2B sales, from scoring leads to forecasting pipelines with more precision than ever before. But in the Gulf, the real decision-making power still lies in something far more human: relationships.

Having worked with enterprise clients across the region, from IBM and Microsoft to media agencies and start-ups, I’ve seen first-hand that while AI, data, ROI calculations, and great demos might get you into the room, it’s trust, personal credibility, and genuine human connection that close the deal.

The power of relationships in Gulf sales

Across the GCC, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, 70 per cent to 80 per cent of enterprise buying decisions are heavily influenced by personal relationships, according to regional sales leaders and internal studies.

Unlike Western markets, where procurement often follows strict, transactional processes, decision-makers in the Gulf prioritise trust, face-to-face rapport, and long-term familiarity with the seller or their network.

In fact, over 60 per cent of B2B buyers in the region prefer to buy from someone they know: even if competitors offer better pricing or features.

This isn’t just a cultural quirk; it’s a strategic advantage. In a region where business and trust go hand in hand, relationships are a form of capital.

This human-first sales culture is why sellers who build authentic connections consistently outperform those who rely solely on automation.

After 15 years in tech sales, from cold calls to enterprise deals to shaping enablement across the EMEA region, I’ve seen every new tool come and go.

Rethinking enablement for the Middle East: AI + human-centred coaching

In a region where trust and personal connection win deals, sales training should focus on improving human skills, with AI as a support tool, not a replacement.

Because sales isn’t just about data: it’s about feelings.

As Maya Angelou said: “People won’t remember what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Final thought: the enablement opportunity in the GCC

AI is here to stay. But in the Gulf, the magic still happens in moments between people – over coffee chats, in the majlis, and through trust built over time.

• Mohamed Tee Hashem, known as Tee Hashem, is a sales enablement leader, trainer, and podcast host with over 15 years’ experience working with IBM, Microsoft, media agencies, and high-growth start-ups across the Middle East and EMEA region. He helps sales teams combine modern tools with timeless human skills, focusing on storytelling, influence, and relationship-based selling. You can follow his content on YouTube (@TeeTalksss), connect with him on LinkedIn, or find him on Instagram at @teetalks___.

Here is a recent podcast that he did with Dariush Soudi:

Emirates Post has launched a commemorative stamp in partnership with Arab postal administrations to mark Arab Postal Day, celebrated annually on August 3. The stamp highlights the evolving role of postal services in fostering community connection and supporting socio-economic development across the region.

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According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the initiative underscores Emirates Post’s commitment to pan-Arab cooperation and advancing regional integration within the postal sector.

The stamp design reflects the transformation of Arab postal services—from manual processes to the integration of advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence. It features a human arm, symbolizing traditional methods, alongside a robotic arm to represent the sector’s digital evolution. Additional elements such as envelopes, stylised electronic signals, and a blue background signify communication, innovation, and technological progress.

This joint release showcases the collective efforts of Arab postal entities to embrace modernisation and enhance regional connectivity. It also highlights the importance of collaboration in promoting sustainable, inclusive development through advanced postal infrastructure.

Emirates Post said the stamp is both a tribute to the sector’s history and a symbol of its forward-looking vision for a digitally connected Arab world.