Dubai has announced remote working for all government entities on Friday, December 19, in response to an unstable weather forecast across the UAE, with the private sector also urged to adopt the same measure where possible.

The directive was issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, as a precautionary step to ensure public safety.

“The decision applies to all Dubai government employees, except for roles that require on-site presence at the workplace,” Sheikh Hamdan said in a post on X.

Read: UAE weather update: Dubai, Sharjah Police issue safety alert; rain, winds hit emirates

The move comes as authorities continue to monitor weather conditions across the country, with residents advised to follow official updates and take necessary precautions.

Global Village’s management has decided to close its doors temporarily and suspend its events on Thursday, December 18, until further notice in light of the developments of the weather situation.

The management said this was done to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests of Global Village and its employees.

Read: UAE weather update: Dubai, Sharjah Police issue safety alert; rain, winds hit emirates

Global Village, Hatta Winter Festival close doors temporarily

In addition to Global Village, the Hatta Winter Festival will also be shut on Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19, as a precaution, while police increase patrols and emergency preparedness in response to the unstable weather.

MoHRE issues call to private sector

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) called on private sector companies across all the UAE to be careful and take all the precautions at work, due to the expected weather conditions affecting the country.

The ministry also stressed the importance of safeguarding the health and safety of workers, particularly at outdoor work sites where continuing operations may be challenging, and stresses the need to ensure that occupational health and safety requirements are met during work and while commuting to and from work sites.

It is due to the unstable weather conditions, that the Dubai Municipality has also announced the closure of beaches and public parks across the Emirate of Dubai on Thursday, December 18, and Friday, December 19, to ensure public safety.

dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has launched a new centralised screening control room at its Dubai International Airport (DXB) cargo facility, developed in partnership with Dubai Police. The initiative represents a major leap in the digital transformation of air cargo operations, combining real-time automation with enhanced security oversight, a WAM report said.

Read more-Dubai’s winter travel surge: New Routes, schedules that passengers must know about

From a single high-tech command centre, Dubai Police officers can now remotely operate and monitor six X-ray screening machines across dnata’s warehouse. Each device integrates with One Cargo, dnata’s digital cargo management system, automating key business and operational functions. The platform enables instant data sharing, streamlined workflows, and faster decision-making.

“Through close collaboration with Dubai Police, we’ve introduced a model that strengthens security, boosts efficiency, and reflects Dubai’s commitment to innovation,” said Guillaume Crozier, dnata’s chief cargo officer.

Centralisation drives efficiency

Previously, cargo screening occurred across multiple warehouse locations, leading to higher resource use and reduced efficiency. The new centralised approach consolidates processes into a single hub, reducing screening time and improving throughput by around 3 per cent annually.

dnata, which serves more than 120 airline customers, manages an average of 60,000 tonnes of cargo each month at DXB. Earlier this year, the company processed over 1 million tonnes of cargo between April 2024 and March 2025, the highest annual volume across its DXB and DWC operations, representing roughly 30 per cent year-on-year growth.

Automation and analytics reduce costs and carbon footprint

The system minimises manual touch points, enables advanced analytics, and optimises resource use, cutting unnecessary cargo movement and reducing fuel consumption inside the facility. The control room was jointly designed by dnata and Dubai Police to handle both primary and secondary command functions. It features advanced monitoring interfaces, live imaging, and automated reporting tools, ensuring traceability at every stage of the screening process.

“Dubai’s success as a global hub comes from a shared commitment between public and private partners,” added Crozier. “This collaboration with Dubai Police reflects that spirit, leveraging technology and trust to create a strong cargo ecosystem that keeps the city’s trade moving efficiently.”

Looking ahead: robotics and smart cargo solutions

The control room is part of dnata’s broader initiative to reimagine cargo operations through data, automation, and design thinking. Across its Dubai facilities, the company is exploring autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to move shipments safely and efficiently across warehouse floors, reducing forklift traffic and improving space utilisation.

Additionally, dnata is testing automated dimensioning and load-optimisation tools that capture the exact size and weight of shipments. This technology maximises space inside Unit Load Devices (ULDs), cuts waste, and allows for precise, data-driven cargo flows.

“Behind every piece of technology we adopt are the people who make it work,” Crozier said. “Our teams on the ground are the driving force behind this transformation, using new tools to move cargo more securely and intelligently than ever before.”

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded an Dhs216m contract for a major project aimed at strengthening the efficiency and reliability of Dubai’s water transmission network.

The contract covers the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipelines of various diameters, along with associated works across multiple locations in the emirate.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said the project aligns with the authority’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and reinforcing the resilience of Dubai’s water infrastructure, in line with the emirate’s long-term sustainability and development objectives.

Read: DEWA begins trial operations at Dhs1.42bn Hatta hydroelectric power plant

The scope of work includes the installation, testing and commissioning of a 7.1km main water transmission pipeline, as well as 20 interconnections linking transmission and distribution networks. These upgrades are designed to increase water flow and pressure across several areas of Dubai, strengthening system readiness and supporting rising demand.

Scheduled for completion within 24 months, the project will help ensure adequate water supply for current and future requirements, while supporting Dubai’s expanding infrastructure and multi-sector development agenda.

Joby Aviation has announced plans to double its manufacturing capacity in the United States as it prepares to scale production of its electric air taxis, targeting an output of four aircraft per month by 2027.

The expansion comes amid growing momentum for advanced air mobility, supported by strong commercial interest and increasing regulatory backing. Joby has recently disclosed more than $1bn in potential aircraft and service sales, while the US government’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program is accelerating efforts to enable electric air taxi operations in select markets as early as next year, ahead of full FAA certification.

“We are entering the next golden age of aviation,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “From factories in California and Ohio, we plan to redefine how people travel across the world, as Joby becomes one of a small number of companies in the world with the industrial capability to build aircraft at this pace and quality.”

Bevirt added: “Given the maturity of our air taxi program and the significant demand we’re seeing for our aircraft, we’re confident now is the right time to invest in the equipment, facilities and people required to accelerate production, and we look forward to doing so with Toyota, the world’s largest auto manufacturer, at our side.”

To support the expansion, Joby has begun procuring capital equipment to increase output from two to four aircraft per month and is hiring to enable round-the-clock manufacturing operations at its California facility. The company recently completed an expanded manufacturing site in Marina, California, and has also started propeller blade production in Ohio, ahead of further manufacturing growth in the state.

Read: Joby Aviation completes first piloted eVTOL flight, eyes Dubai launch

The announcement follows a key regulatory milestone, with Joby commencing power-on testing of the first FAA-conforming aircraft built for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), the final phase of the FAA’s type certification process. All remaining FAA-conforming aircraft required for TIA testing are now in production.

In May 2025, Joby closed the first $250m tranche of a strategic investment from Toyota Motor Corporation, reinforcing the long-term collaboration between the two companies. Joby and Toyota are now working toward finalising a strategic manufacturing alliance to support the planned production ramp-up.

“Our partnership with Toyota has been central to our ability to scale manufacturing,” Bevirt said. “Their knowledge, experience and expertise has been invaluable as we enter this next stage of growth.”