Emirates will launch its daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Shenzhen starting July 1, 2025.

According to a WAM report, this move aims to strengthen its presence across Asia.

In addition to flights to Shenzhen, Emirates will also introduce four weekly flights to Da Nang on June 2, and three weekly flights to Siem Reap starting June 3. Both cities will be connected via Bangkok.

Read-Emirates to resumes flights to Beirut, Baghdad

The addition of Shenzhen, Da Nang, and Siem Reap positions Emirates as a leader with the largest and most diversified route network among non-Asian airlines in East Asia, offering 269 flights per week from Dubai to 24 destinations.

This expansion marks Emirates’ fourth gateway into mainland China, its third destination in Vietnam, and its second point in Cambodia.

Flights to Da Nang will operate with the Emirates Boeing 777 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Optimised connections for passengers

The convenient flight schedules will offer travelers optimised connections and access to major European cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Manchester, Milan, and Rome, as well as several US cities.

Flight Schedules

Da Nang

Emirates flight EK370 will depart from Dubai at 0900hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 1825hrs. The flight will then depart from Bangkok at 2010hrs and arrive in Da Nang at 2150hrs. The return flight EK371 will depart from Da Nang at 2330hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 0110hrs the following day. The flight will then take off at 0340hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0650hrs. All times are local.

Siem Reap

Emirates’ three weekly services to Siem Reap will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Emirates flight EK370 will depart from Dubai at 0900hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 1825hrs. The flight will then depart from Bangkok at 2010hrs and arrive in Siem Reap at 2130hrs. The return flight EK371 will depart from Siem Reap at 2350hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 0110hrs the following day. The flight will then take off at 0340hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0650hrs. All times are local.

Emirates’ flight to Siem Reap is timed to offer leisure travelers connectivity through multiple daily operations from France, the UK, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and Russia.

Saudi Arabia has made no secret of its bold ambitions in artificial intelligence. With plans to create a $40bn AI investment fund, the kingdom is positioning itself as a global leader in the space.

Yet, while aspirations are high, the reality on the ground paints a more complex picture. Many Saudi organisations remain in the early stages of their AI journeys, with only a minority currently feeling fully prepared to implement AI solutions.

Encouragingly, confidence abounds, with most leaders optimistic about their readiness in the coming years.

A significant challenge lies in bridging the generational gap in AI adoption. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, have grown up immersed in technology and tend to feel at ease leveraging AI in the workplace. Millennials, who have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of digital innovation, are close behind. In contrast, more experienced professionals, including Gen X and Baby Boomers, often express greater caution, reflecting a natural hesitancy to embrace new ways of working.

This divergence is especially relevant as in the kingdom, nearly two-thirds of the population are under 30. Yet older generations still hold many decision-making roles within organisations. As companies aim to unlock AI’s transformative potential, they must address this gap, ensuring that employees across all demographics are equally equipped to harness AI’s benefits.

Attracting and retaining younger leaders in Saudi

The workforce is undergoing a profound demographic shift. Globally, Millennials and Gen Z now make up about half of all employees, and this figure is projected to rise to 70 per cent by 2030.

In Saudi Arabia, with its youthful population, this transition is happening even faster. For businesses, this means meeting the expectations of a tech-savvy workforce is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Failing to deliver a robust digital experience risks alienating younger employees, who increasingly expect AI-driven tools to enhance their work lives. The good news is that the large majority of Saudi leaders agreed that AI will help them deliver a better digital experience for end users. So, companies can and should promote their use of AI to attract and retain young talent.

Businesses that successfully integrate AI into their operations not only boost productivity but also strengthen their appeal to emerging talent, creating a competitive edge in recruitment and retention.

However, for companies that want to fully leverage their investments in AI, it is not enough to focus solely on using AI to deliver better digital experiences for younger workers. To make AI transformational, organisations must also improve their more senior-level employees’ comfort level when using AI.

Empowering senior staff through training

While attracting younger employees is crucial, organisations must also focus on bringing more experienced team members on board with AI initiatives.

Resistance to change often stems from a lack of familiarity, and targeted training can be a game-changer. Companies that prioritise comprehensive AI training see a marked difference in outcomes, not only in terms of adoption rates but also in how effectively AI is utilised across the business.

Investing in training programmes helps break down barriers, equipping all employees to use AI tools confidently and responsibly. As organisations shift their focus from operational efficiencies to broader productivity and profitability goals, such investments will pay long-term dividends.

The importance of training cannot be overstated, as training on AI utilisation helps all employees more effectively use AI to transform the business.

Currently, most organisations are using AI in IT to drive operational efficiencies, whilst, in three years, most companies expect AI to drive business productivity and improve profits. Therefore, investing in training now will be critical for the long-term success of AI implementations.

Follow the leaders

The most successful organisations take a strategic approach to AI adoption. Rather than rushing in or relying on generic solutions, they invest in tailored strategies that align with their unique business goals. They place a strong emphasis on training and use AI to enhance the digital experience for both employees and customers.

For Saudi businesses, following this example means recognising and addressing the demographic differences in AI adoption.

By investing in the right tools, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and prioritising education, companies can bridge the generational divide and turn their AI aspirations into reality. In doing so, they won’t just align with Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions — they’ll help shape the future of work in the kingdom.

The writer is the CIO at Riverbed Technology.

India’s Akasa Air has begun daily direct flights connecting Bengaluru and Ahmedabad with Abu Dhabi, starting March 1, 2025.

According to a report in the Economic Times, the airline has launched these flights under a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways.

The inaugural flight took off from Bengaluru on March 1, departing from Kempegowda International Airport at 1000hrs IST (Indian Standard Time) and arriving at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi at 1235hrs AST (Atlantic Standard Time).

The other maiden flight from Ahmedabad departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 2245hrs IST, arriving at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi at 0100hrs AST on March 2, 2025.

Read- Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways aims to announce IPO this week

The flights from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad are in addition to the daily service between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, which was introduced in July 2024. With this particular feat, Akasa Air will now operate 21 weekly flights connecting Abu Dhabi with three of India’s major cities. This also marks the airline’s first international route from Bengaluru.

The flight flagged off from Kempegowda International Airport following the lighting of a ceremonial lamp in the presence of members of Akasa Air’s Executive Committee. A special boarding pass was also issued to passengers to mark the occasion.

Neelu Khatri, the Co-Founder and SVP International of Akasa Air, said they were absolutely thrilled to launch this new international route operated under a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, which strengthens our presence in the UAE—one of the most crucial international aviation corridors. This partnership unlocks new travel possibilities for our customers, supporting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

“With the choice to access an array of global destinations under a single, seamless itinerary, our passengers will benefit from both airlines’ shared commitment to service excellence, accessibility, and convenience. The launch of this service also marks the commencement of Akasa’s international operations from Bengaluru and further expands our international connectivity from Ahmedabad,” Khatri added.

Asian share markets made guarded gains on Monday as investors waited anxiously to see if imminent tariffs would go ahead, while bitcoin surged on news it would be included in a new US strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies.

US President Donald Trump on social media announced five digital assets he expected to include in a new reserve, including bitcoin, ether, XRP, solana and cardano.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value, shot up 10 per cent to $92,905, while ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, pulled back to $2,443 after climbing 13 per cent over the weekend.

Read-Bitcoin slides more than 5% to lowest since November 11

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.3 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.0 per cent. Chinese blue chips added 0.8 per cent, helped by a pick-up in the manufacturing to 50.8 in February, from 50.1.

S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures were both flat, having staged a late rally on Friday after a week of heavy losses.

50 futures firmed 0.3 per cent, while FTSE futures and DAX futures rose 0.6 per cent.

Investor concerns

Investors seemed encouraged that European leaders agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to take to the United States, following President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s clash with Trump in the Oval Office.

Worries about the health of the US economy had also been fanned by a string of soft data that had seen the closely watched Atlanta Fed GDPNow tracker swing to an annualised -1.5 per cent, from +2.3 per cent, sparking talk of a possible recession.

Those fears were fanned on Sunday when US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect on Tuesday, but that Trump would determine whether to stick with the planned 25 per cent level.

Also read- ‘Worst hack in history’: Dubai crypto exchange Bybit suffers $1.5bn ether heist

An extra 10 per cent levy on Chinese imports is also due to come into effect this week, just as the country’s National People’s Congress opens its third annual session on Wednesday where stimulus measures and possible reprisals against the US could be announced.

“As with other Trump tariff announcements so far, it’s hard to know if this is a bluff or a genuine turn in policy,” said JPMorgan economist Michael Feroli.

“However, if it were to be realised it would create a significant new headwind to economic activity, as well as an upside support to consumer prices.”

Payrolls loom

All of this raises the stakes for the January US payrolls report due on Friday, where a weak outcome would fuel market bets the Federal Reserve might have to cut interest rates three times this year.

Fed fund futures now imply 69 basis points of easing by December, compared with 46 basis points a week ago. Yields on 10-year Treasuries extended their rally with a drop to 4.220 per cent, leaving them down 35 basis points in February, the largest monthly decline since late 2023.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is due to speak on the economic outlook on Friday, just a few hours after the jobs report, and at least seven other officials will appear this week.

Across the Atlantic, the European Central Bank is widely expected to cut its rates by 25 basis points to 2.50 per cent on Thursday following a run of weak data, and a move under 2 per cent is expected by year-end.

In currency markets, the euro edged up 0.5 per cent to $1.0421 EUR=EBS on hopes for progress in a Russian-Ukrainian peace deal, having been as low as $1.0360 on Friday.

The dollar eased back to 1.4445 Canadian dollars, after rising 1.7 per cent last week, and dipped to 20.4586 Mexican pesos.

It eased a touch on the Japanese yen to 150.32 yen, while the dollar index was down slightly at 107.180.

Gold prices firmed 0.5 per cent to $2,873 an ounce, having dropped around 3 per cent last week.

Oil bounced a little, having slid last week amid speculation the U.S. could ease sanctions on Russian output, while the risk of a global trade war could hit demand for energy.

Brent futures rose 76 cents to $73.57 a barrel, while US crude futures added 74 cents to $70.50 per barrel.

Dubai’s energy demand rose by 5.4 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

The total energy consumption in 2024 reached 59,594 gigawatt hours (GWh), up from 56,516 GWh in 2023, Al Tayer announced.

He noted that DEWA is expanding the capacity of its transmission and distribution networks to meet the emirate’s population growth and economic expansion.

Growing demand for power and water

“Thanks to the wise directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai has become a global city and a preferred destination to live and work in, as well as a hub for business and tourism. Dubai’s urban, economic, and demographic prosperity promotes DEWA’s sustainable growth, driven by growing demand for power and water,” Al Tayer said.

He added that in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy over the next decade and strengthen its global standing, DEWA’s installed power generation capacity has reached 17.179 gigawatts (GW).

Dubai a ‘global model for energy use’, says Al Tayer

Clean power now accounts for 20 per cent of this total installed capacity, supporting the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aim for 100 per cent clean energy generation by mid-century.

“DEWA has become a global model for energy and water efficiency and reliability, providing its services according to the highest standards of availability, sustainability, efficiency, and quality,” Al Tayer stated.

DEWA also recorded a 3.4 per cent rise in peak demand in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 10.76 GW.

The utility provider remains committed to sustainability and operational excellence in its service offerings, Al Tayer affirmed.