The Delhi High Court has nullified the Indian government’s award of a contract to Alhind Tours & Travels for the delivery of passport, visa and consular services in the UAE, dealing a fresh blow to the planned transition that has already disrupted services for millions of Indian expatriates.

The ruling comes just weeks after the planned handover from long-time service providers BLS International and SGIVS Global was halted following legal challenges from unsuccessful bidders. The transition, originally scheduled to take effect on July 1, had already been frozen after the Supreme Court ordered that the status quo be maintained until the Delhi High Court completed its review of the tender process.

The contract had been awarded to Kerala-based Alhind Tours & Travels following a competitive tender process to manage passport, visa, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), attestation and other consular services across the UAE. The company had invested in a network of 16 Indian Consular Application Centres across all seven emirates in preparation for the takeover.

The legal dispute centred on the technical evaluation of the tender after two unsuccessful bidders challenged their disqualification, arguing that they had not been provided adequate reasons or transparency regarding their technical scores. The litigation ultimately prevented Alhind from commencing operations despite having completed operational preparations.

With the contracts of BLS International and SGIVS Global having expired on June 30, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have been operating limited passport, visa, attestation and other consular services directly from their premises on a temporary basis to ensure continuity of essential services. Applicants have been required to use walk-in facilities while awaiting clarity on the outsourcing arrangement.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a fresh Conflict Zone Information Bulletin advising airlines to avoid operating through the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and parts of Oman, citing elevated security risks linked to continuing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region.

The advisory was issued on July 14, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in force until July 29, 2026, unless it is reviewed, amended or withdrawn earlier. The guidance applies to airlines and operators subject to European Union aviation safety regulations, as well as third-country carriers authorised by EASA to operate flights to, from and within the European Union.

Read more-UAE flights to Saudi city cancelled after Abha attack

The latest bulletin represents another significant development for the aviation sector, as airlines continue to balance operational efficiency with growing security concerns across one of the world’s busiest international aviation corridors.

Extensive airspace included in the advisory

According to EASA, the advisory covers all altitudes and flight levels within the Bahrain Flight Information Region, Kuwait Flight Information Region, Doha Flight Information Region and the Emirates Flight Information Region. It also extends to airspace over the waters of the Gulf of Oman within the Muscat Flight Information Region, west of longitude 58 degrees east.

The agency has recommended that affected airlines refrain from operating within the specified airspace while the bulletin remains active.

The guidance is intended to assist operators in assessing operational risk and making informed flight planning decisions as regional security conditions continue to evolve.

Military developments drive security concerns

EASA said the latest advisory follows continuing instability associated with the military conflict between the United States and Iran.

According to the bulletin, a temporary ceasefire was initially announced on April 8, 2026, and remained in effect until June 17, when both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding extending the arrangement for a further 60 days.

However, the agency said the agreement has been affected by repeated and significant violations, resulting in renewed security concerns across the Gulf region.

EASA highlighted Iran’s efforts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, recurring attacks against commercial vessels and ongoing military activity involving the US as key factors contributing to the elevated threat environment. It added that these developments have the potential to affect the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, as well as areas over the Gulf of Oman.

Airlines urged to monitor situation closely

The Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding Gulf waters remain among the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors, serving as a critical route for global energy supplies and international trade. Any escalation in the region has the potential to affect maritime transport, commercial aviation and wider regional air traffic management.

Regional aviation authorities have introduced temporary airspace closures and operational restrictions at various stages of the conflict, underscoring the rapidly changing nature of the security environment.

Against that backdrop, EASA has urged airlines to closely monitor developments and review all relevant aeronautical publications concerning the region. These include notices and operational guidance issued by the aviation authorities of the affected countries, neighbouring states and the Sultanate of Oman.

Operators have also been advised to follow information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside instructions issued by their respective national aviation authorities.

Operational impact could extend beyond Europe

Although the advisory directly applies to EASA-regulated operators and certain third-country carriers, it is expected to be closely assessed by airlines worldwide as they evaluate operational risk and route planning across the Gulf.

Avoiding the affected airspace could require airlines to adopt longer alternative flight paths, depending on departure points, destinations and the availability of suitable routing options. Such adjustments may increase flight times, fuel consumption and operating costs, while also affecting aircraft scheduling and network efficiency.

Industry observers note that prolonged airspace restrictions can have wider commercial implications for airlines, particularly on long-haul services connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Passenger services may be affected

For passengers, the advisory does not automatically mean that flights to and from Gulf destinations will be suspended. Instead, flight operations will continue to depend on decisions taken by individual airlines, national aviation authorities and air navigation service providers following their own operational and safety assessments.

However, travellers could experience schedule changes, delays or rerouted flights as airlines implement precautionary measures to minimise operational risk while maintaining service continuity.

EASA said it will continue monitoring the situation in coordination with the European Commission and EU member states, assessing whether the level of risk facing European airlines increases or decreases as military and political developments unfold.

The agency added that the bulletin may be revised, extended or withdrawn before its current expiry date should conditions on the ground change.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is celebrating his 77th birthday today, marking another milestone in a leadership journey that has reshaped Dubai into one of the world’s most competitive business and investment destinations.

Born on July 15, 1949, Sheikh Mohammed has led Dubai since January 2006, overseeing an era of rapid economic diversification, infrastructure expansion and government transformation that has positioned the emirate as a global centre for commerce, aviation, logistics, tourism, finance and technology.

Under his leadership, Dubai has launched a series of long-term economic and urban development strategies aimed at sustaining growth beyond hydrocarbons. These include initiatives focused on attracting foreign direct investment, nurturing entrepreneurship, advancing digital government, strengthening artificial intelligence capabilities and expanding the emirate’s position as a global financial hub.

His vision has also underpinned the development of landmark projects and institutions that have elevated Dubai’s international profile, from world-class transport infrastructure and aviation networks to free zones, financial centres and tourism assets that continue to attract multinational companies and investors from around the globe.

For the business community, Sheikh Mohammed’s emphasis on innovation, competitiveness and long-term planning has helped create an ecosystem that consistently ranks among the region’s most attractive destinations for investment and talent. His government has championed regulatory reforms, digital transformation and public-private partnerships as key pillars of economic growth.

The birthday has been marked by tributes across the UAE, with organisations and residents celebrating the leader widely credited with transforming Dubai into a global city while continuing to advance ambitious initiatives such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and broader national development strategies.

At 77, Sheikh Mohammed remains at the forefront of Dubai’s next phase of growth, with a continued focus on innovation, sustainability, talent attraction and economic resilience as the emirate pursues its long-term ambition of strengthening its position among the world’s leading cities for business and quality of life.

Fitech giant Revolut has received in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) for a Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) licence, paving the way for the fintech to launch regulated cryptocurrency services in the UAE.

The approval will allow Revolut, subject to final regulatory clearance, to offer broker-dealer, management and investment, and exchange services through its retail app and standalone crypto trading platform, Revolut X.

Eligible customers in the UAE will eventually be able to buy, sell and hold digital assets within a regulated framework.

The latest approval marks another milestone in Revolut’s expansion in the Emirates, where the company has been steadily building its regulatory footprint.

Last month, Revolut received stored value facilities (SVF) and retail payment services (Category II) licences from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), completing its regulatory authorisation process for payments in the country. The approvals paved the way for the company to launch a suite of digital financial services, including multi-currency accounts, local and international payments, and physical and virtual cards.

Read more: Revolut receives UAE central bank payment licences as it prepares market entry

The company said the latest VARA approval supports its ambition to build a fully regulated financial ecosystem in the UAE, bringing it a step closer to offering both digital banking and regulated virtual asset services under local oversight.

Joseph Khair, head of Revolut Digital Assets FZE, UAE, said the company was looking forward to supporting the country’s vision for the sector.

“The UAE continues to demonstrate global leadership in establishing a robust and transparent framework for virtual assets, and we are proud to align with that vision,” Khair said.

“This approval lays the foundation for Revolut to introduce its trusted virtual asset services within a regulated environment, supporting VARA’s goal of fostering a safe, transparent, and innovation-driven virtual assets ecosystem.”

Growing footprint

Founded in the UK in 2015, Revolut has grown into one of the world’s largest fintech companies, with more than 75 million customers globally. The company says more than 16 million customers use its cryptocurrency services, which are currently available in the UK and the European Economic Area.

Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s leading hubs for digital assets, with VARA establishing a dedicated regulatory framework aimed at attracting global crypto companies while strengthening investor protection and market oversight.

India generated the highest level of overseas online interest in Dubai’s property market over the past three months, highlighting the emirate’s continued appeal among international investors and homebuyers, according to new web traffic data released by fäm Properties.

The analysis, which excludes UAE-based visitors and measures international search traffic to Dubai property listings, found that India accounted for 20.59 per cent of overseas searches, followed by the United Kingdom (13.26 per cent) and Egypt (12.60 per cent).

The United States (8.99 per cent) and Pakistan (6.94 per cent) completed the top five, while Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, France and Canada rounded out the ten largest international sources of online interest.

The findings provide an early indication of where buyer demand may be building, although the company stressed that online search activity should not be interpreted as a direct measure of future transactions.

India’s leading position reflects its long-established role as one of Dubai’s largest overseas property investor markets, supported by strong trade links, a sizeable Indian expatriate community in the UAE and sustained demand for international real estate investment and portfolio diversification.

“The online search data that we’ve compiled doesn’t guarantee sales, and should be treated as a directional indicator of potential buyer interest rather than a precise forecast of future transactions,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties.

“But what it does show is where global attention is genuinely concentrated right now. Search behaviour is an early signal, often months ahead of when that interest shows up in official transaction records.

“For a market as internationally driven as Dubai’s, understanding where that demand is building can be just as important as tracking where it’s already landed.”

One notable finding was the absence of China from the top ten despite Chinese investors traditionally being among Dubai’s largest overseas buyer groups.

According to Al Msaddi, this reflects differences in purchasing behaviour rather than weaker demand.

“This should be attributed to a difference in buying behaviour rather than any decline in interest,” he said. “Chinese buyers tend to transact through agent networks, developer relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals rather than independent online research.”

A similar trend was observed among Russian buyers. Although Russia has consistently ranked among the leading nationalities purchasing Dubai property in recent years, it accounted for 2.50 per cent of international search traffic, placing it 12th in the rankings.

The data underscores Dubai’s continued international appeal, with buyer interest spread across established investment markets in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East, reflecting the emirate’s position as a global real estate investment destination.