Etihad Airways is increasing flights between Abu Dhabi and Damascus to a daily service from November 14, 2026, as demand for travel between the UAE and Syria grows.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline will expand the route from four to seven weekly flights, just months after launching services to the Syrian capital in June.

Etihad said the route has attracted strong interest from passengers travelling between the two countries.

The additional flights will provide greater flexibility for the Syrian community living and working in the UAE, while improving connections for passengers travelling beyond Abu Dhabi.

“The response to our Damascus service has impressed us from the very first flight, and a daily service is the natural next step,” said Arik De, Etihad Airways’ chief revenue and commercial officer.

“It brings the Syrian capital within easy reach of our guests in the UAE, and places Damascus just one stop from the many destinations we serve beyond Abu Dhabi.”

Under the new schedule, flight EY561 will depart Abu Dhabi at 2pm and arrive in Damascus at 4.30pm local time.

The return service, EY562, will leave Damascus at 5.35pm and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 9.30pm.

Both services will operate daily using Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

Three people have been killed and 36 others injured in attacks on two international airports in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were targeted in separate attacks on October 6 and 7.

At Abha International Airport, in the south of the kingdom, two women of Moroccan and Algerian nationality were killed, while 28 others sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.

Those injured included Saudi citizens and residents from Bangladesh and the Philippines.

In Riyadh, a Sudanese resident was killed in an attack on King Khalid International Airport, with eight others injured, including five Saudi citizens, two Egyptian residents and a Pakistani national.

All those injured were taken to hospital for medical treatment, while both attacks caused damage to airport facilities.

GACA said emergency response teams had been deployed immediately following the incidents, with authorities assessing the extent of the damage and the safety of airport infrastructure.

The authority said it was working with relevant agencies to “assess the damage, verify the safety of the facilities” and take measures to protect passengers and civil aviation operations across the kingdom.

Read more: Riyadh airport flights disrupted as attacks trigger delays, cancellations

Houthis claim fresh attack on Riyadh airport

The developments come as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed on Thursday that it had launched a ballistic missile at King Khalid International Airport.

In a statement posted on X, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group’s forces had successfully targeted the airport, claiming the missile had “accurately struck its target and disrupted airport operations”.

There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities of the latest claimed strike or the extent of any disruption to airport operations.

The Houthis had previously claimed responsibility for attacks on both Saudi airports, including the use of drones against Riyadh and missiles and drones against Abha.

The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday that the attacks on the kingdom’s airports would not go unpunished, announcing strikes against more than 80 Houthi military sites across several Yemeni governorates.

The Houthis have also targeted Aden International Airport in Yemen, where a missile landed near the runway shortly before a passenger flight from Cairo was due to arrive.

UAE condemns attacks

In the meantime, the UAE has strongly condemned the attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, which killed three people and injured dozens of civilians.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) described the attacks as a “flagrant violation” of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability.

The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with the kingdom and its support for measures to safeguard its security, while extending condolences to the families of those killed and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Dubai has launched a redesigned addressing system that will introduce new street signs and house number plates across 186 areas by 2030, authorities said on Wednesday.

The first phase covers Za’abeel 1, Za’abeel 2, Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawaneej 1 and Nazwa, with more than 2,000 signs to be installed or replaced this year.

The Supreme Committee for Urban Planning launched the initiative with the Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Municipality. Implementation will span 19 sectors, starting in the fourth quarter of 2026.

What the new colour-coded signs indicate

The designs use five colours reflecting local geography. Blue represents areas near the sea, while gold identifies desert areas.

House number plates will display each property’s Makani number and a corresponding QR code. QR codes will also provide information about areas, street-name meanings and nearby attractions.

The identity will later extend to bus stops, smart applications and area map boards.

Rollout priorities include population density, urban growth, residential and tourist attractions, and the proportion of streets without formal addresses.

Dubai Municipality has issued new requirements for shared housing, setting minimum bedroom space per occupant and identifying more than 44 areas where buildings may be used for such accommodation.

The Planning and Building Requirements Guide for Shared Housing and Permitted Areas implements Law No. (4) of 2026, which regulates the occupancy and management of shared housing in the emirate.

Approved areas include Al Souq Al Kabeer, Al Ras, Al Warqa 1, Al Barsha 1, Al Muraqqabat and Al Rigga.

Additional locations will be announced once approved, the municipality said.

Guidelines set

Under the guide, bedrooms must provide at least five square metres per person. Each existing building must be allocated to either individual or family accommodation. For family housing, each family must have a separate bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.

The guide also sets requirements for kitchens, sanitary facilities and designated spaces for dining, recreation, laundry and clothes drying, depending on the accommodation category and number of occupants.

New shared housing rules: Compliance date

Property owners and property management and leasing companies have one year from the law’s effective date of September 8, 2026, to bring buildings currently used for shared housing into compliance.

However, that period does not exempt owners from correcting building violations, unauthorised changes of use or conditions that threaten public safety, the municipality said.

The requirements cover new buildings and existing buildings modified for shared housing within permitted areas. Collective labour accommodation is excluded because it falls under separate legislation.

Buildings and villas require a permit before being designated for shared housing, with applications and renewals available through the Build in Dubai platform.

Before permits are issued, compliance with Dubai Civil Defence requirements for fire alarms and firefighting systems, and Security Industry Regulatory Agency requirements for CCTV, must be verified.

The municipality said the framework aims to reduce overcrowding and unregulated residential practices while protecting occupants’ safety and privacy.

Riyadh Air recently unveiled the first images of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring the airline’s indigo livery after the aircraft rolled out of Boeing’s paint facility in Charleston, South Carolina.

The indigo-and-lavender design draws inspiration from the colours of spring desert blooms and Arabic calligraphy and complements the Saudi carrier’s signature pearlescent white livery.

One in every 10 aircraft in Riyadh Air’s fleet is expected to feature the indigo livery as the airline expands its operations.

The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the near future and is expected to appear at one of the 15 international airports currently served by Riyadh Air.

“Seeing our first Indigo aircraft emerge from the paint shop is a proud moment for Riyadh Air,” CEO Tony Douglas said.

“Inspired by the colours of spring desert blooms and the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, the indigo livery positions our brand with a striking presence that will stand out at airports across the world.”

Douglas said the design, alongside the airline’s pearlescent livery, reflected “a modern, confident Saudi identity, and marks another significant milestone as we have grown to 10 aircraft and 15 destinations in less than four months.”

The unveiling marks another step in Riyadh Air’s fleet expansion as the Saudi carrier builds out its international network.

Riyadh Air’s new non-stop service to Jakarta; ticket sales open

In other news, Riyadh Air announced ticket sales are open for its three-times-weekly service between Riyadh and Jakarta, a key addition to its growing Asian network and its 16th destination on sale, with more destinations set to be announced in the coming days and weeks.

Starting on November 16, the new direct route between Riyadh and Jakarta connects the capitals of two G20 nations at a time of accelerating trade, corporate travel, and religious tourism. According to a statement published by the airline, total bilateral trade reached $6.6bn in 2025 and hit $2.6bn in H1 2026 alone.

The non-stop capital-to-capital service will open a new gateway for religious visitors from Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

Read: Riyadh Air opens ticket sales for Pakistan, Philippines routes