As part of its continued drive to simplify travel and enhance operational efficiency, Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) launched the initiative on November 10, allowing passengers to complete all check-in formalities from the comfort of their homes. The move reinforces the airport’s reputation for adopting technology-driven services that prioritise speed, comfort, and ease.

The new service enables passengers flying through Sharjah Airport to finalise check-in procedures before leaving home, from boarding pass issuance to luggage collection, and then proceed directly to passport control upon arrival. According to a WAM report, this innovation aims to “save passengers’ time and effort” while maintaining the airport’s high service standards.

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Bookings can be made via the Sharjah Airport website, by calling 800745424, or through the “SHJ Home Check-In” mobile app. Passengers must book the service at least eight hours before their flight’s departure.

A specialised Sharjah Airport team will manage all aspects of the process, issuing boarding passes, weighing, tagging, and transporting luggage directly from the passenger’s home, hotel, or workplace.

To cater to different passenger needs, SAA has introduced a tiered pricing structure:

• Coral Package: Dhs145 for one to two bags.
• Silver Package: Dhs165 for three to four bags.
• Gold Package: Dhs185 for up to six bags.

An additional Dhs20 fee applies per extra bag, aligned with the operating airline’s baggage policy.

Initially, the service will cover various areas within Sharjah City, marking the first phase of its rollout. SAA said it plans to expand coverage gradually as adoption grows, highlighting that the feature is particularly beneficial for families, business travelers, and frequent flyers seeking speed, reliability, and convenience.

Aligning with UAE’s smart airport vision

The launch underscores Sharjah Airport’s commitment to aligning with the UAE’s broader aviation innovation goals. The airport has steadily integrated smart services and automated systems to streamline operations and enhance the passenger journey, consistent with international travel and safety standards.

SAA noted that the new initiative “reflects its ongoing commitment to passenger satisfaction,” positioning Sharjah among the growing number of UAE aviation hubs offering at-home convenience as part of their digital transformation strategy.

Sharjah Airport’s move follows a similar trajectory seen across leading UAE carriers, each introducing home check-in or baggage collection options to reduce airport congestion and boost traveler comfort.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways offers its Home Check-in service for passengers departing from Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi). Operated in partnership with Morafiq, the service covers locations within 50 km of the airport. Etihad’s team completes all procedures, including boarding pass issuance, baggage tagging, and payment for optional extras like excess luggage or seat selection, at the customer’s chosen address.

However, Etihad restricts the service for unaccompanied minors, passengers requiring medical support, or those traveling to the United States. It must be booked at least six hours before departure, with all details and terms available on Etihad’s official website.

Air Arabia

While Air Arabia’s own channels do not list an in-house home check-in service, the airline collaborates with Morafiq to offer a comparable experience for passengers departing from Zayed International Airport. The third-party arrangement mirrors Etihad’s model, covering home collection, check-in, and boarding pass delivery.

Air Arabia’s baggage rules and fare policies remain unchanged, and the service area follows Morafiq’s coverage limits.

Emirates

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates provides one of the most comprehensive home check-in options across the UAE. The service is complimentary for First Class passengers and available for a fee across all other cabin classes for flights departing from Dubai (DXB) and Sharjah.

An Emirates representative verifies travel documents, tags baggage, and issues boarding passes at the traveler’s home or hotel. The service must be reserved via emirates.com at least 12 hours before departure. Full pricing and baggage policy details are outlined on the airline’s official Home Check-in page.

flydubai

Meanwhile, flydubai, in partnership with DUBZ and dnata, provides Home Check-in from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB). The carrier’s team handles document verification, check-in, baggage collection, and boarding pass issuance at the customer’s location in Dubai.

Bookings are made via flydubai.com, with transparent pricing and scheduling. Passengers can also pay for excess or oversized luggage during pickup.

Competitive advantage through passenger-centric innovation

The rise of home check-in services across the UAE signals a regional shift toward hyper-personalized, contactless travel, a trend accelerated by post-pandemic traveler expectations.

For Sharjah Airport, this initiative represents both a service enhancement and a strategic differentiator in a highly competitive market. As neighboring airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue investing in similar innovations, SAA’s adoption of home check-in positions it among the country’s most forward-thinking transport hubs.

By reducing congestion, cutting wait times, and enhancing convenience, the Home Check-In program reinforces Sharjah Airport’s ambition to become a model of efficiency and customer satisfaction, a move that may well redefine the UAE’s next phase of airport service excellence.

Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the GCC, has signed a master research collaboration agreement with the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), one of the region’s foremost innovation ecosystems established to promote collaboration between industry, government, and academic and research organisations. The agreement aims to drive cutting-edge research and innovation in healthcare. The agreement was signed in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the Sharjah Next: Healthcare Forum, a two-day event that brought together global experts, academia, and industry leaders to explore the future of medical research, biotechnology, and healthcare innovation.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), and Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare. The signing was witnessed by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of SPARK, alongside Dr. Malathi Arshanapalai, Chief Medical and Quality Officer, Aster DM Healthcare.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing joint research initiatives focused on healthcare technology, clinical innovation, and sustainable solutions that will shape the future of healthcare in the region.

Under this agreement, SPARK and Aster will work together to conduct joint research projects in areas such as medical technology development, bio-innovation, artificial intelligence in diagnostics, and advanced data-driven healthcare solutions. The partnership also aims to nurture an innovation ecosystem that bridges academic and research organisations, industry, and clinical practice, accelerating the translation of research into real-world impact.

Alisha Moopen, managing director & group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare and Board Member of SPARK, said, “The partnership reinforces Aster’s commitment to driving healthcare innovation through collaborative research and knowledge sharing. By combining Aster’s clinical expertise with SPARK’s robust innovation ecosystem, we aim to pioneer technologies and models of care that improve patient outcomes and advance the UAE’s position as a global hub for medical excellence and research-led innovation.”

Dr. Asma Mahmoud Fikri, director of government and corporate partnerships at SPARK, stated: “This partnership marks a new chapter in linking world-class healthcare providers with our innovation ecosystem. Aster DM Healthcare’s experience in clinical excellence and regional healthcare delivery will bring valuable real-world perspective to our joint R&D efforts and help translate promising research into tangible patient outcomes.”

The Master Research Collaboration Agreement outlines a clear framework for cooperation, covering areas such as intellectual property management, data protection, confidentiality, and publication of research outcomes. Aster DM Healthcare will have the rights to develop and commercialise innovations arising from the collaborative research, while both organisations will ensure compliance with UAE’s data protection and ethical research standards.

The partnership will also provide opportunities for joint academic initiatives, innovation acceleration programs, and talent development, supporting the next generation of researchers and clinicians in the UAE.

This collaboration between SPARK and Aster DM Healthcare reflects a shared vision to leverage research, innovation, and technology to build a more sustainable and future-ready healthcare system in the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced 29 commercial deployment agreements for autonomous mobility technologies on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW).

Marking a pivotal moment for global smart mobility, the landmark agreements—secured by ADIO in partnership with K2, LODD Autonomous (LODD), Autologix, Sinaha, TractEasy, MLG, and Space42—position Abu Dhabi among the first cities in the world to establish an integrated, multimodal regulatory and infrastructure framework for autonomous systems. The initiative enables companies to transition from pilot projects to full commercial deployment, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a destination where next-generation technology companies can innovate, test, and scale their solutions.

The 29 agreements span a range of strategic sectors including e-commerce, food and goods delivery through partnerships with the Integrated Transport Centre (AD Mobility), Talabat, Noon, and Aramex; healthcare logistics with PureLab; and industrial automation. These collaborations are advancing real-world applications of autonomous systems across air and ground delivery, logistics, and specialized industrial operations, reshaping how goods are transported, stored, and distributed across the emirate.

The Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) has played a critical role in creating the regulatory and infrastructural environment required for safe and sustainable commercial operations. This integrated approach has positioned Abu Dhabi as a leading testbed for large-scale autonomous logistics and mobility solutions.

His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said: “Abu Dhabi is leading the transformation in smart mobility and logistics, with these 29 commercial pilot agreements marking a decisive step toward a future where autonomous technologies set new standards for transportation and trade. Anchored by the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, these agreements translate decades of R&D into tangible commercial deployment. Together, they represent a defining moment, where technology begins to function as a viable and vital part of the global economy.

Read: Abu Dhabi launches first vertiport network to advance air mobility

“This shift is enabled by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council’s vision for a coordinated approach in which regulation, infrastructure and industry development advance together, creating a clear path for deployment, commercialisation and wider adoption. By advancing solutions that support e-commerce, healthcare and critical logistics, we are reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a place where emerging industries can grow faster, scale further and deliver lasting impact to businesses and communities worldwide.”

Sinaha Technology, an Abu Dhabi-based AI-driven automation and robotics company, is developing logistics innovations that are transforming the movement of goods. Its autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs), intelligent warehouses powered by robotics, and advanced Fleet Management System are designed to reduce emissions, cut costs, and improve operational visibility and efficiency.

Aerial logistics networks are also being advanced through drone delivery pilots led by LODD, working with PureLab, EMX, Noon, and Aramex. These pilots will test the commercial and environmental potential of unmanned aerial systems for applications ranging from medical sample transport to scalable parcel delivery between logistics hubs and community zones.

In parallel, partnerships led by K2, in collaboration with Talabat, EMX, ENEC, Noon, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport, are advancing both air and land delivery solutions. These projects will demonstrate how AI-enabled electric vehicles and drones can optimize last- and middle-mile logistics, while supporting net-zero goals. The deployment of fully electric Robosweepers and autonomous ground fleets across key logistics corridors reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a cleaner, safer, and more efficient transport ecosystem.

In heavy logistics, Autologix—a joint venture between 7X and Zelostech—has partnered with Emirates Post to pilot Level 4 autonomous cargo vehicles. These purpose-built, cabless vehicles represent a breakthrough in urban logistics, offering enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability for freight transport.

Collectively, these initiatives reflect Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive approach to mobility—one that integrates regulation, infrastructure, and innovation under the SASC framework. Together, they reinforce the emirate’s global position as a hub for advanced logistics and autonomous technology, driving sustainable economic growth and setting new benchmarks for operational excellence in the autonomous mobility sector.

Japanese financial services firm Orix 8591.T is teaming up with the Qatari sovereign wealth fund to launch a $2.5bn Japan-focused private-equity fund, Orix said in a release on Tuesday.

Orix will hold a 60 per cent stake and the Qatar Investment Authority a 40 per cent stake in the new fund management firm, which will invest in Japanese companies with a particular focus on firms in the midst of succession changes, listed companies undergoing privatisation and companies carrying out carve-outs of divisions or subsidiaries, Orix said.

Each investment will be of at least 30 billion yen, the release said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Nikkei business daily reported that the fund’s total size may exceed 1 trillion yen ($6.63bn).

The UAE is accelerating its leadership in advanced aerial mobility (AAM) by shaping one of the world’s most forward-looking regulatory frameworks for air taxis and drone logistics. The initiative, jointly led by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, both operating under the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), is being developed in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Read more-Dubai’s aerial taxi services: RTA tests region’s first flight

Overseen by the Council for Autonomous Systems, the programme focuses on designing data-driven, simulation-based regulations to safely integrate both crewed and uncrewed aerial vehicles into national airspace. The effort positions the UAE among a select group of nations pioneering structured frameworks for the next generation of air transportation, according to the UAE’s national news agency, WAM.

Field simulations are currently underway across Yas Island, Zayed Port, and Abu Dhabi International Airport, strategic locations chosen as future vertiport hubs. Supported by advanced modelling tools developed with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), these tests study wind patterns, safety limits, and flight dynamics to guide the creation of efficient, safe air corridor designs.

The findings from these real-world trials will help shape operational standards for urban air mobility, ensuring that emerging aerial transport systems integrate smoothly within city environments.

Regulations for a new era

Eng Aqeel Ahmed Al Zarooni, assistant director-general for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, emphasised the importance of adapting to the rapid evolution of aviation.

“As aviation continues to evolve, our regulatory frameworks must evolve with it,” he said. “Through this collaboration with TII and ASPIRE, we are laying the foundation for the safe and scalable integration of next-generation aerial mobility, ensuring harmony between manned and unmanned air traffic systems in support of our vision for smart, connected cities.”

Balancing innovation and safety

Dr Najwa Al Araj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, noted that technology alone cannot drive breakthroughs in urban air mobility.

“It must be accompanied by forward-looking regulations that address the complexities of autonomous flight,” she said.

Echoing this sentiment, Andrew Strefford, executive director at ASPIRE, highlighted that trust and safety underpin the success of urban air mobility.

“Policies and regulations are essential to its adoption,” he said. “What we are establishing in Abu Dhabi lays the foundation for global confidence in how future cities will communicate and operate their urban and suburban airspaces, opening up new economic opportunities across mobility and logistics sectors.”

The project’s four workstreams span the design of safe air corridors, vehicle separation standards, coordination between traditional and unmanned air traffic systems, and regulatory advisory support.

By blending advanced research, simulation technology, and cross-sector collaboration, the UAE is setting new global benchmarks for the governance of aerial mobility. The initiative strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global testbed for next-generation transport regulation, and as a model for the smart cities of the future.