The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said May is considered one of the months of the first transition period (spring) between winter and summer.

The authority explained that the month is marked by a gradual northward shift of the apparent movement of the sun, leading to longer daytime hours and a steady rise in temperatures across the UAE, a WAM report said.

Read more-Rising temperatures, dust ahead: Is this the beginning of summer in UAE?

”During this month the apparent movement of sun continue to move north of the equator where daytime gradually increases in the northern hemisphere which lead to a gradual increase of air temperature over most parts of the country during this month,” said the NCM in its May climate summary.

Changing weather systems

The NCM noted that the Siberian high-pressure system weakens during May, while weather depressions influence the region from the east and west. When combined with extensions of westerly upper-air troughs, cloud cover increases and the chances of rainfall rise.

Humidity levels are expected to decline slightly compared to April, particularly in the second half of the month. The agency also said fog and mist formation remains possible, especially during the first half over scattered areas, with occurrences decreasing later in May.

Climate statistics

According to the NCM, mean air temperatures range between 30.6°C and 33.6°C, while mean maximum temperatures range from 37.3°C to 40.7°C. Mean minimum temperatures vary between 24.3°C and 26.8°C.

The highest recorded temperature for May reached 51.6°C in Sweihan in 2025, while the lowest minimum temperature fell to 9.0°C at Jabal Jais in 2005.

Mean wind speed stands at 13 km/hr, with the strongest recorded winds reaching 117.2 km/hr at Jabal Mebreh in 2010. Relative humidity averages 39 per cent, with maximum values ranging between 54 per cent and 82 per cent, and minimum levels between 14 per cent and 22 per cent.

In May 2021, the month recorded the highest frequency of fog with four fog events and 10 misty days. The highest rainfall recorded for May was 134.4 mm in Al Fali in 1981.

Authorities also advised residents to take precautions during rising daytime temperatures, stay hydrated, and monitor official forecasts regularly as seasonal conditions continue to shift across the UAE during May month period overall.

Dubai’s ambition to redefine urban mobility has taken a tangible step forward with the completion of its first air taxi station near Dubai International Airport. Developed through a partnership between Skyports, Joby Aviation, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, the four-storey vertiport is designed to support electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft ahead of a planned commercial launch in 2026.

For Anthony El-Khoury, UAE general manager at Joby Aviation, the milestone signals a decisive shift from concept to execution.

“The completion of the vertiport is a significant moment, not just symbolically, but structurally,” he says. “It marks the point at which the conversation shifts from what we’re building to how we’re bringing it to life.”

While the physical infrastructure is now in place, moving to full passenger operations requires alignment across multiple layers of aviation, technology, and user experience.

“The path to passenger operations comes down to three core areas: certification, operational readiness, and ecosystem integration,” El-Khoury explains.

Certification remains a critical step, with Joby working closely with the General Civil Aviation Authority to validate both the aircraft and the operating model. At the same time, the company is finalising pilot training programmes, flight procedures, and ground operations to ensure consistency and reliability.

“The infrastructure is in place. Now it’s about execution,” he adds.

Integration, however, may prove the most defining factor. Air taxis will need to operate seamlessly within Dubai’s broader transport ecosystem, from airspace coordination to passenger booking platforms.

Anthony El-Khoury, UAE general manager at Joby Aviation

Testing the limits in UAE conditions

Joby’s readiness for commercial operations has been shaped by extensive testing under real-world UAE conditions, including extreme heat and environmental stress.

“The UAE testing programme was a critical phase for us because it allowed us to validate performance in real operating conditions,” El-Khoury says.

One of the biggest technical challenges was thermal performance. Operating in temperatures approaching 43°C required detailed analysis of how battery systems, motors, and onboard electronics behave under sustained heat.

The company also tested performance in low-density air, where high temperatures reduce lift efficiency, as well as exposure to sand, dust, and humidity.

“These are not simulated conditions, but the actual environment we’ll be operating in commercially,” he notes.

The outcome, according to Joby, was consistent performance and stability, reinforcing confidence as the company moves toward certification.

The Dubai vertiport is designed to handle up to 170,000 passengers annually, but early adoption will be deliberately phased.

“In the early phases, we expect demand to build progressively. We will start our operations with a small fleet and build from there,” El-Khoury says.

Rather than focusing on immediate scale, the strategy is centred on delivering a premium, reliable experience that drives repeat usage.

“What gives us confidence is the market itself. There is already strong demand in Dubai for efficient, time-saving transport,” he adds.

The expectation is that once passengers experience the time savings such as a potential 10-minute journey between key locations, adoption will accelerate organically.

Designing a network, not a route

Dubai’s initial air taxi rollout will include four key vertiports: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina. These locations were selected based on detailed analysis of movement patterns across the city.

“The four stations were selected based on extensive analysis of people movement data across Dubai, identifying the corridors where demand is highest,” El-Khoury says.

The station features a four-storey facility covering 3,100 square metres, alongside a two-level parking structure, two dedicated air taxi take-off and landing pads, and specialised charging infrastructure for the aircraft. It also includes climate-controlled passenger areas designed to accommodate up to 170,000 travellers annually.

The system will operate as a point-to-point network, with aircraft moving between vertiports at regular intervals. Over time, this network approach is expected to expand both within Dubai and across the UAE, including potential routes to Ras Al Khaimah.

A key part of the user experience will be integration with ground transport, enabled through Joby’s partnership with Uber.

“Passengers will be able to combine air taxi and ground journeys in a single, seamless trip,” he explains.

For any new mode of transport, passenger confidence is critical. Joby is positioning safety as the core of its value proposition, embedding it across design, testing, and regulatory compliance.

“Safety is absolutely fundamental, it’s built into every layer of the system,” El-Khoury says.

The aircraft itself incorporates multiple redundancies, including six propellers with dual-wound motors, independent battery systems, and backup flight control systems. Globally, Joby has flown over 50,000 miles as part of its testing programme and is in the final stages of certification with the Federal Aviation Administration.

In the UAE, local test flights have validated performance under regional conditions, including recent operations in Margham and at Al Maktoum International Airport.

“While the technology is new, the safety framework is well established,” he adds.

Built for urban environments

Unlike traditional aircraft adapted for city use, Joby’s eVTOL aircraft are designed specifically for urban environments.

“Our eVTOL aircrafts aren’t adapted for urban environments, they’re designed for them,” El-Khoury says.

This distinction is critical in addressing challenges such as heat, air density, noise, and limited landing space. Distributed electric propulsion enables stable lift and control, while the aircraft’s acoustic profile is significantly lower than that of helicopters.

In dense urban settings, this combination of efficiency, manoeuvrability, and reduced noise is essential for scalability.

One of the most compelling aspects of air taxis is the promise of predictable travel times in a city where road congestion can be unpredictable.

“The goal isn’t just a fast journey. It’s a journey you can plan around,” El-Khoury says.

Operating within controlled airspace ensures consistency, with routes designed in coordination with aviation authorities. While factors such as weather and airspace management will still play a role, variability is expected to be significantly lower than ground transport.

“What this model fundamentally changes is the variability,” he explains. “Ground transport in Dubai is subject to congestion, unpredictability… An air route doesn’t have those variables.”

A blueprint for global expansion

Beyond its immediate impact on Dubai’s transport network, the project represents a broader strategic milestone for Joby Aviation.

“Dubai is much more than just an early market for Joby,” El-Khoury says. “What we’re building here… is a blueprint that can be adapted to other cities globally.”

The combination of government vision, regulatory agility, and private sector collaboration has created an environment where advanced mobility concepts can move rapidly from pilot to commercial deployment.

For Joby, success in Dubai will not only validate the aircraft, but the entire ecosystem — from vertiports and regulatory frameworks to passenger experience and operational integration.

“Getting it right here is how we scale it everywhere else,” El-Khoury concludes.

As Dubai positions itself at the forefront of advanced air mobility, the transition from infrastructure to operations will determine whether air taxis evolve from a headline innovation into a viable, scalable mode of transport.

The US has evacuated 22 crew members held aboard an Iranian container vessel to Pakistan and will hand them over to Iranian authorities on Monday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, calling the move a “confidence-building measure”.

Here are some details.

Iranian-flagged Touska, part of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) that has been hit with sanctions by Washington, was boarded and seized by the US off the coast of Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman last month.

The US Central Command had said the ship’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over six hours, and the vessel was in violation of a US blockade.

Iran had condemned the incident as “unlawful and a violation” of international law, and demanded the immediate release of the vessel, its sailors, and their families.

The ship will also be moved to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its owners after necessary repairs, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Monday.

The US-Israeli war on Iran, which began in February, was suspended four weeks ago after the countries declared a fragile ceasefire. However, Washington and Tehran have since engaged in naval confrontations and seizures of each other’s commercial vessels.

Peace talks were held last month in Pakistan, which has been trying to negotiate an agreement, but did not culminate in a deal.

As global airlines grapple with aircraft shortages, ageing fleets and persistent supply chain bottlenecks, the often-overlooked world of engine maintenance has emerged as one of aviation’s most critical pressure points.

In the middle of that shift is Abu Dhabi-based Sanad, which posted record growth in 2025, with engine inductions jumping 43 per cent year-on-year to 230 and revenue rising 41 per cent to Dhs7bn, as global demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services continues to outpace available capacity.

Backed by a Dhs38bn backlog, more than 1,000 committed shop visits and growing investments in AI-enabled inspections, digital planning systems and next-generation engine platforms, Sanad, a Mubadala subsidiary, is positioning itself as more than a maintenance provider, it is building what Mansoor Janahi, its MD and CEO, calls a globally connected aerospace infrastructure platform.

Here, Janahi discusses scaling amid constrained global capacity, the strategic role of MRO in Abu Dhabi’s industrial ambitions, and why the future of aviation resilience will depend as much on data and talent as it does on engines.

Sanad reported a significant rise in engine inductions to 230 in 2025, up from 161 in 2024. How does the company plan to sustain this momentum while navigating a global market where engine MRO capacity remains “structurally constrained”?

Sanad’s growth reflects a deliberate, long-term capacity build, rather than a response to short-term demand cycles

Over the past year, we have focused on expanding our infrastructure, in-house repair capabilities, and workflow optimisation, enabling us to scale efficiently while maintaining operational consistency.

A key differentiator is the integration of our MRO and asset management activities, allowing us to manage the full engine lifecycle, optimising planning, improving turnaround times, and maintaining control over both capacity and delivery.

With 230 engine inductions in 2025, up 43 per cent year-on-year, and a contracted backlog of Dhs38bn supported by long-term agreements, we have strong visibility and are well positioned to scale in line with sustained global demand, even as industry capacity remains constrained.

With a 41 per cent year-on-year revenue increase to Dhs7bn, what were the primary contributors to this record performance and was it driven more by the expansion of the engine portfolio or the execution of long-term OEM agreements?

Sanad’s record performance reflects a combination of structural strengths across the business, rather than a single driver.

Revenue reached Dhs7bn, up 41 per cent year-on-year, supported by both operational scale and the depth of long-term OEM partnerships. The expansion of our engine portfolio across platforms such as LEAP, Trent 700, V2500, and GEnx has enabled us to respond to sustained global demand, particularly as airlines extend the life of existing fleets.

At the same time, long-term OEM agreements have provided a stable foundation for growth. These agreements secure more than 1,000 shop visit commitments over the coming years, give us clear visibility over future workload and allow us to plan capacity with greater certainty. This level of contractual depth is an important factor in maintaining consistency as the business scales.

Another contributing factor has been the continued development of our integrated model. By combining MRO and asset management, we are able to support customers across the full engine lifecycle while capturing value across multiple stages of the value chain.

What brings these elements together is the balance between demand and structure. Growth is supported by market demand and increasing engine volumes, while long-term agreements and lifecycle capabilities provide the stability needed to sustain that growth over time.

Read: UAE airspace returns to normal after precautionary restrictions lifted

Given that current geopolitical tensions and climate volatility are placing “increasing strain” on regional infrastructure, how has Sanad’s business model been refined to ensure the continued stability of its global aerospace platform?

At Sanad, resilience is built into the structure of the business rather than treated as a response to external conditions.

We operate a globally connected, export-driven platform, with approximately 99% of revenue generated from international markets, supported by a diversified customer base of more than 80 airlines, operators, and lessors worldwide

In parallel, we continue to invest in infrastructure with a long-term view, including the expansion of LEAP capabilities, the development of the GTF engine MRO center in Al Ain, and advanced testing infrastructure.

Together, these elements provide the diversification, visibility, and operational depth required to deliver consistently in a dynamic global environment.

Industry experts note that critical infrastructure is often “invisible when it works well” but becomes a national priority during times of conflict. What parallels do you see in the effort to make aerospace MRO infrastructure more resilient and “visible” as a strategic asset for Abu Dhabi?

MRO has traditionally operated behind the scenes, but its importance has become far more visible in recent years as global disruptions have highlighted the aviation sector’s reliance on reliable maintenance capacity.

The ability to maintain, repair, and extend the life of aircrafts is not simply a technical requirement. It underpins connectivity, trade flows, and the continuity of global transport systems. placing MRO within a broader strategic context.

For Abu Dhabi, investments in next-generation maintenance facilities, testing infrastructure, and advanced capabilities are contributing to the development of a more resilient and self-sustaining industrial base.

There is a clear shift underway, from MRO as a support function to a core component of national infrastructure, defined not only by scale, but by capability, integration, and long-term planning.

Sanad expanded its workforce to 855 employees and increased Emiratisation to 36 per cent in 2025. How does this focus on human capital intersect with the regional trend toward adopting AI-driven modelling and digital twins to manage complex systems?

As the aviation industry becomes more data-driven and technologically advanced, the importance of human capability becomes even more critical.

Sanad’s workforce reached 855 employees in 2025, with Emiratisation at 36 per cent, up from 23.1 per cent in 2022, reflecting sustained progress in building technical expertise within the UAE.

At the same time, we are embedding advanced technologies across our operations, including AI-enabled inspection tools, robotics, and digital planning systems, enhancing precision, reducing turnaround times, and improving decision-making.

A key differentiator is our close collaboration with leading OEM partners, including Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace, through which we deliver structured knowledge exchange and international training programmes. These include technical exchange initiatives and on-site training at OEM facilities, enabling our engineers to gain direct exposure to advanced technologies and global best practices.

This is shaping a workforce that combines deep technical expertise with digital fluency, supported by continued investment in training and partnerships with institutions such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and Khalifa University.

Beyond capability building, this approach contributes to the wider development of the UAE’s knowledge-based economy, supporting job creation and strengthening local expertise. Ultimately, advanced technologies enhance efficiency, but it is skilled people, supported by global knowledge exchange, who apply them and ensure consistency in delivery.

Across the GCC, utilities are moving from “fix after failure” to “intervene before impact” using real-time data. Is Sanad implementing similar predictive maintenance or integrated asset management platforms to optimise the lifecycle of the more than 1,000 engine shop visits currently in its backlog?

Sanad is actively advancing toward a more predictive, lifecycle-driven operating model.

With more than 1,000 shop visits secured through long-term agreements, lifecycle management has become a central focus and has has become central to how we plan and operate at scale.

A key enabler of this is the integration of our asset management division with our MRO capabilities. Through this model, we are not only maintaining engines but actively managing their lifecycle through leasing, parts trading, and material solutions. This creates a more connected system where data, asset ownership, and technical expertise work together to improve planning, increase flexibility, and reduce downtime.

By combining this integrated model with data analytics and digital tools, we can anticipate maintenance requirements and improve planning in a market where supply chain constraints continue to impact turnaround times.

How is Sanad leveraging its global OEM partnerships and expanded technical workforce to lead the transition toward a more resilient, digitally optimised, and circular industrial ecosystem for the Middle East?

Sanad’s approach has been to position itself as a contributor to the evolution of the global aerospace industry, demonstrating that advanced capabilities can be developed from the UAE while remaining fully integrated into international supply chains.

With more than 39 years of experience and through long-standing partnerships with leading OEMs and global aviation players, Sanad has developed distinctive capabilities across key engine platforms, reinforced by its role in programmes such as V2500, Trent 700, GEnx, LEAP and GTF, which have evolved into a full lifecycle support platform covering maintenance, overhaul, repair, and testing.

These capabilities are supported by a broader ecosystem of partnerships, including collaboration with technology providers, global MRO players, and academic institutions, enabling continuous knowledge transfer and capability development.

By combining global integration with local capability building, Sanad is contributing to a more resilient and increasingly circular aerospace ecosystem, anchored in Abu Dhabi.