Saudi authorities deport nearly 15,000 with residency violations
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that a total of 29,913 expatriates—comprising 27,699 men and 2,214 women—are currently undergoing legal procedures as part of the broader enforcement framework
Saudi Arabia has intensified its nationwide enforcement campaign against residency, labour and border violations, with authorities arresting 11,300 individuals in a single week, according to the Saudi Gazette citing the Ministry of Interior.
The arrests were carried out through joint inspection campaigns conducted by security forces in coordination with multiple government entities between April 23 and April 29.
Of the total detained, 6,244 were found in violation of residency regulations, 3,543 breached border security laws, and 1,513 were linked to labour law violations, underscoring the multi-pronged nature of the crackdown.
The enforcement drive has also led to significant deportation activity, with 14,855 individuals repatriated during the same period. In parallel, 18,601 violators were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to secure travel documentation, while 4,337 individuals were processed to complete travel arrangements.
Border enforcement remains a key focus area. Authorities reported that 1,330 individuals were apprehended while attempting to illegally enter the Kingdom, with nationals from Yemen accounting for 43 per cent and Ethiopia making up 54 per cent of those detained. A further 51 individuals were arrested while attempting to exit the country unlawfully.
In addition to direct violators, enforcement actions extended to facilitators. Authorities detained 14 individuals accused of providing transport, shelter, or employment to undocumented residents—activities that remain a major focus of regulatory oversight.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that a total of 29,913 expatriates—comprising 27,699 men and 2,214 women—are currently undergoing legal procedures as part of the broader enforcement framework.
Reinforcing the regulatory stance, the ministry warned that individuals aiding illegal entry, transportation, or accommodation face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to SR1m ($266,000). Assets used in such activities, including vehicles and properties, are also subject to confiscation.
Authorities have urged public cooperation in reporting violations, providing dedicated helplines across regions as part of efforts to strengthen compliance and enforcement across the Kingdom’s labour and residency ecosystem.
Dubai Airport navigated weeks of disruption: Here’s what comes next
Operations were maintained under rapidly changing conditions, with flight schedules, passenger handling, and ground services continuously adjusted to align with available airspace capacity
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has successfully maintained global connectivity during a period of significant regional disruption, positioning itself for a strong rebound as UAE airspace restrictions are fully lifted and flight operations ramp up.
During a challenging period that began on February 28 and intensified through March, DXB remained operational despite severe airspace limitations affecting one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors. According to Dubai Airports, the hub facilitated the safe movement of approximately 6 million passengers, more than 32,000 aircraft movements, and 213,000 tonnes of essential cargo as of April 30.
Operations were maintained under rapidly changing conditions, with flight schedules, passenger handling, and ground services continuously adjusted to align with available airspace capacity. Industry coordination played a critical role in ensuring continuity.
Coordinated response ensures stability
Dubai Airports credited its success during the disruption to seamless collaboration across the aviation ecosystem. Airlines, service partners, and regulatory authorities worked closely to ensure that passenger and cargo movement continued safely and efficiently.
Image credit: Dubai Airport/Website
The oneDXB community, including major carriers Emirates and flydubai, played a central role in this coordinated effort. Together, stakeholders enabled the airport to adapt swiftly to evolving conditions while preparing for recovery.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, highlighted the scale of the challenge and the importance of DXB’s role in global aviation.
“The extraordinary events of the past few weeks are unprecedented for any major airport hub such as DXB,” Griffiths said. “Maintaining the smooth operation of DXB is critical to keep global journeys moving.”
He added that the airport’s response demonstrated agility and preparedness.
“Our collective response to these challenges has sharpened our ability to adapt at pace. That readiness will enable us to accommodate returning demand as capacity is restored,” he said.
Airspace reopens, recovery gains momentum
With all precautionary restrictions on UAE airspace now lifted, Dubai Airports has entered a new phase of recovery.
Flight movements are being steadily increased, allowing airlines to restore schedules in line with regional airspace availability.
Capacity remains influenced by routing options outside UAE airspace, but ongoing coordination with neighboring regions is helping optimise flight paths and improve efficiency.
This gradual scaling of operations is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks as conditions stabilize further.
DXB’s strategic role in global travel
Dubai’s aviation sector plays a pivotal role in international transfer traffic. Of the 99.3 million passengers whose journeys could route through the Middle East annually, the region captures around 70 per cent, with DXB alone handling approximately 32 per cent of that traffic.
This dominance underscores the airport’s importance as a global hub, particularly for long-haul connections between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
As airspace constraints ease, this segment is expected to recover rapidly, driven by strong underlying demand that cannot easily be diverted to alternative hubs.
Traffic impact reflected in Q1 figures
Despite operational resilience, the impact of the disruption was evident in first-quarter performance figures for 2026.
DXB welcomed 18.6 million passengers in Q1, marking a 20.6 per cent decline compared to the same period last year. March was particularly affected, with traffic dropping to 2.5 million passengers, down 65.7 per cent year-on-year.
India remained the airport’s largest market, contributing 2.5 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia (1.3 million), the UK (1.2 million), and Pakistan (918,000).
London retained its position as DXB’s busiest destination city with 752,000 passengers, followed by Mumbai (520,000) and Jeddah (505,000).
Cargo volumes also saw a decline, reaching 399,600 tonnes in Q1, down 22.7 per cent, while aircraft movements fell by 20.8 per cent to 88,000.
Despite the disruption, DXB maintained relatively strong operational performance. The airport handled 17.6 million bags during the quarter, including 2.6 million in March.
The mishandled baggage rate stood at 3.5 per 1,000 passengers, higher than last year’s 1.95 but still significantly below the global average of approximately 6.3 per 1,000 passengers.
This reflects the airport’s continued focus on efficiency and service quality even under strained conditions.
Growth and expansion ahead
Looking ahead, Dubai Airports remains optimistic about the remainder of the year. Strong underlying demand is expected to drive a swift recovery as airspace capacity improves.
The airport is actively increasing flight movements and working with airline and airspace partners to unlock additional capacity across its network.
At the same time, long-term expansion plans at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) continue to progress, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to remain a leading global aviation hub.
With operations stabilising and demand returning, DXB appears well-positioned to regain momentum and sustain its role at the heart of global air travel.
Bolt launches dedicated school rides across Dubai
To support adoption, the service is launching with a 20 per cent discount on all scheduled rides within eligible school zones, enhancing accessibility for families
Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), in partnership with Bolt, has launched a new ride category in Dubai designed to support safer and more structured school commutes, as mobility providers expand into specialised, everyday transport use cases.
The new service, Bolt School, is now available via the Bolt app and has been introduced to address growing demand from parents and guardians for reliable and convenient school transport options. The service initially covers more than 90 per cent of schools across Dubai, selected based on student population size, with plans for further expansion.
Bolt School allows users to schedule rides in advance, aligning with school drop-off and pick-up timings. The offering is positioned as a structured alternative within the ride-hailing ecosystem, aimed at simplifying daily routines for families while enhancing predictability and consistency.
Safety and service quality form a core part of the proposition. Trips will be fulfilled by top-rated drivers within Bolt’s Comfort category, while an in-app Safety PIN verification feature ensures that students are matched with the correct vehicle before the journey begins.
To support adoption, the service is launching with a 20 per cent discount on all scheduled rides within eligible school zones, enhancing accessibility for families.
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader push to enhance smart and safe mobility solutions, particularly in high-frequency, everyday travel segments. It also reflects the increasing diversification of ride-hailing services, with operators targeting niche use cases such as school transport to drive engagement and long-term user retention.
By introducing Bolt School, Dubai Taxi Company and Bolt are extending their role beyond general ride-hailing into more specialised mobility services, reinforcing their focus on delivering tailored solutions that reflect evolving urban transport needs.
UAE’s biggest-ever Make it in the Emirates forum opens with AI showcase, industrial push
The event comes as the UAE accelerates efforts to strengthen its industrial sector, with industrial GDP rising 70 per cent since 2021 and exports more than doubling to Dhs262bn
Make it in the Emirates, the UAE's major industrial event, is underway in Abu Dhabi. It aims to expand the manufacturing base and diversify the economy. This year's edition, themed 'Advanced Industry. Emerging Stronger', features 1,200 exhibitors and new hubs focusing on technology, start-ups, quality, and industrial heritage.
The UAE’s flagship industrial event, Make it in the Emirates, opened today in Abu Dhabi with its largest edition to date, expecting more than 120,000 visitors as the Gulf state pushes ahead with plans to expand its manufacturing base and diversify its economy.
The fifth edition of the event, held under the theme ‘Advanced Industry. Emerging Stronger’, has attracted 1,245 exhibitors across 88,000 square metres at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, covering 12 strategic sectors, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, energy, mobility and sustainable materials.
The event comes as the UAE accelerates efforts to strengthen its industrial sector, with industrial GDP rising 70 per cent since 2021 and exports more than doubling to Dhs262bn, according to organisers.
Major agreements involving government entities, national companies, global corporations and local businesses are expected to be announced during the four-day event.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is also set to unveil new initiatives aimed at improving industrial resilience and supporting businesses amid global economic volatility.
These include the next phase of the UAE’s In-Country Value programme, which officials said has redirected more than Dhs473bn into the national economy while supporting local employment and supply chain development.
Four new hubs at Make it in the Emirates 2026
This year’s event introduces four new dedicated hubs as organisers seek to move beyond investment announcements and focus on industrial capability building.
The new ‘Intelligence Hub’, a 1,400-square-metre technology showcase, will feature artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, electric vehicles, batteries, industrial cybersecurity and smart manufacturing technologies, including products developed locally and through international partnerships.
A separate ‘Industry NextGen Hub’ will target startups and small businesses, which account for 61 per cent of exhibitors this year, by offering investor matchmaking, pitch competitions and access to procurement opportunities.
The ‘Quality Hub’ will focus on certification and accreditation standards required for UAE-made products to compete internationally.
Meanwhile, the ‘House of Industry’ will debut as what organisers describe as the country’s first immersive industrial heritage exhibition, tracing the UAE’s economic evolution from traditional trade to advanced manufacturing.
Make it in the Emirates 2026 is hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, ADNOC and L’IMAD, and organised by ADNEC Group.
Launched to advance the UAE’s industrial strategy, the event has become a central platform for connecting manufacturers, investors and policymakers as the country seeks to build long-term economic resilience beyond oil.
ADNOC will award £43.5 billion worth of projects between 2026 and 2028 to expand upstream and downstream operations and meet global energy demands. This investment supports local manufacturing and strengthens UAE supply chains under the In-Country Value programme. The announcement was made at the "Make it With ADNOC" forum, connecting contractors with local manufacturers to bolster the UAE economy.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said on Sunday it plans to award Dhs200bn ($55bn) worth of projects between 2026 and 2028, as it accelerates expansion across its upstream and downstream businesses.
The planned awards are part of ADNOC’s five-year capital expenditure plan approved by its board last year and come as the company looks to expand production capacity and meet rising global energy demand.
The announcement was made at ADNOC’s ‘Make it With ADNOC’ forum in Abu Dhabi, which brought together engineering, procurement and construction contractors with 70 UAE-based manufacturers that have met the company’s technical qualification standards.
The event was attended by more than 400 representatives from government entities, private sector companies and contractors, ADNOC said.
Make it with ADNOC forum. Image: Supplied
The state energy firm said the projects would support local manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains under its In-Country Value programme, which aims to boost spending within the UAE economy.
ADNOC to connect with buyers at Make it in the Emirates
ADNOC said it plans to hold a separate “ADNOC Value Connect – meet the buyer” event on May 5 and 6 during the Make it in the Emirates 2026 forum, where more than 1,000 companies are expected to participate.
UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC chief executive Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the company was entering a new execution phase focused on project delivery and industrial growth.
“As we deliver on this phase of growth, we are bringing together leading EPC contractors with 70 top UAE manufacturers,” he said in a statement.
ADNOC has been expanding internationally while increasing domestic gas, chemicals and lower-carbon investments as the UAE seeks to diversify its economy while maintaining its role as a major energy producer.
Dubai has launched tunnelling for the Dhs20.5bn Blue Line metro expansion, part of the Dubai 2040 plan. The 30-km line, with 14 stations, aims to serve one million residents and is expected to open in 2029. The project is currently 20% complete. Additionally, the Dhs34bn Gold Line metro project is planned for completion in 2032.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the primary tunnelling works for the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, a transport expansion project valued at more than Dhs20.5bn ($5.58bn).
The 30-km line will include 15.5 km of underground track and 14.5 km of elevated routes, with 14 stations comprising three interchange stations, seven elevated stations and four underground stations.
The Blue Line will serve nine districts expected to be home to around one million people under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
“Investing in the transport sector is an investment in the future and a key pillar of enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He added that the metro line forms part of Dubai’s broader plan to build a more connected, efficient and sustainable city.
The project is currently 20 per cent complete, with more than 10,000 workers and over 500 engineers and experts involved in delivery.
Authorities said completion is expected to reach 30 per cent by the end of 2026, with the line scheduled to open on September 9, 2029.
Sheikh Mohammed also gave the signal to begin operations of the tunnel boring machine named “Al Wugeisha”, which will excavate in three directions from International City 1 station toward Mirdif, the Auto Market and Al Warsan.
Image: Dubai Media Office
The machine is 163 metres long, weighs more than 2,000 tonnes and can excavate between 13 and 17 metres per day.
The Blue Line will connect with Dubai Metro’s Green Line at Creek Station and the Red Line at Centrepoint Station, while providing direct journeys to Dubai International Airport in about 20 minutes.
In other news, in April, Dubai announced the Gold Line project, the largest transportation project in Dubai. The new 42-kilometre metro line will pass through 15 key strategic areas across the city, serve approximately 1.5 million residents, and strengthen connectivity to 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
The Gold Line project will cost Dhs34bn. It will increase the length of the Dubai Metro network by 35 per cent, and is scheduled for completion in September 2032.
Dubai’s existing metro and tram network spans 101 km and has transported nearly 2.8 billion passengers since operations began in 2009, including 295 million riders in 2025.
