Dubai Airports has launched a series of hospitality experiences at Dubai International Airport (DXB) aimed at welcoming residents returning after the summer, visitors arriving in the emirate and passengers transiting through the airport.

The “Dubai Welcome” experiences are running throughout August across Terminal 3, spanning baggage claim, arrivals and transit areas, Dubai Airports said.

The initiative includes welcome activities for families, refreshments for passengers and live entertainment, as the airport operator looks to bring elements of Arabian hospitality into different stages of the passenger journey.

Mascots from Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs welcome younger travellers, while a local musician performs in the arrivals area.

Families and friends waiting for arriving passengers can create personalised signs at a “Make Your Welcome Home Sign” station using stickers and Dubai-themed embellishments.

Complementary treats

Passengers continuing their journey by Dubai Taxi are offered complimentary refreshments, cold towels and treats provided by Mirzam, Emirati District, Emirates Flight Catering and oneDXB partners.

Transit passengers can also watch a live performance inspired by regional music, while refreshments and treats are being distributed at transfer desks by Project Chaiwala, Mirzam, Emirati District and Garrett Popcorn.

“DXB is the gateway to Dubai and, for many guests, their first point of connection with the city,” said Michelle Lee, vice president of brand and communications at Dubai Airports.

“From the moment people arrive or travel through the airport, we want those moments to reflect what makes Dubai distinctive: its energy, warmth, diversity and the people who bring the city to life.”

Lee said the airport’s focus was on turning everyday passenger touchpoints into memorable experiences, whether travellers were returning home or spending only a few hours at DXB between flights.

Dubai Airports has also installed an interactive “I Heart DXB” experience near Gate B28. Travellers can upload a selfie to become part of a shared portrait of Dubai displayed in the colours of the UAE flag.

The installation includes a wall where passengers can leave handwritten messages of pride and gratitude, with limited-edition stickers and pins also available.

Dubai Airports operates DXB and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

A busy period for DXB

DXB handled a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025, the busiest year in its history and the highest annual international passenger traffic recorded by an airport, according to Dubai Airports.

Dubai is also developing DWC as its longer-term aviation hub. Expansion plans announced in 2024 involve an investment of $35bn, with the airport expected to accommodate 150 million passengers annually over the next decade and eventually expand to a capacity for 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Parkin Company (Parkin), Dubai’s largest provider of paid public parking facilities and services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bahrain Car Parks Company (Amakin) B.S.C., a leading parking and mobility solutions provider in Bahrain, to explore opportunities across parking technology, digital mobility services and regional business development.

The agreement creates a framework for the companies to combine their technology, operational expertise and market capabilities to enhance customer experience, improve efficiency and support the development of smarter parking and mobility services across the GCC, a WAM report said.

Digital platforms, payments in focus

Under the MoU, Parkin and Amakin will assess opportunities to integrate their digital platforms, with the aim of streamlining operations and creating a more seamless experience for customers.

The companies will also examine the feasibility of enabling customers to access and pay for parking across both networks through their respective mobile applications. The initiative could support a more connected UAE-Bahrain parking experience while making digital payments more convenient.

Read more-From Dubai to Cairo: Parkin takes smart parking strategy into Egypt

Data analysis will also form part of the collaboration, with both companies looking to analyse mobility data to identify emerging trends and develop data-driven parking solutions in their respective markets.

Engineer Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin Company PJSC, said the partnership would help extend the company’s smart parking capabilities beyond Dubai.

“At Parkin, we are constantly exploring opportunities to apply our technology and operational expertise to enhance the parking experience,” Al Ali said. “Our partnership with Amakin represents a significant milestone in expanding our smart parking capabilities beyond Dubai, bringing together our complementary technologies and digital platforms to deliver a seamless customer experience and unlock future growth opportunities across the GCC and beyond.”

Focus on customer convenience

Tariq Ali Aljowder, CEO of Amakin, said the collaboration would focus on practical digital solutions tailored to the Bahraini market.

“Our priority is to make parking simpler and more convenient for our customers,” Aljowder said. “Working with Parkin gives us the opportunity to explore practical solutions that combine digital innovation with our understanding of the Bahraini market to improve customer experience, including faster payment options and more accurate space availability for the communities we already serve.”

Beyond technology integration, the MoU provides a framework for Parkin and Amakin to explore joint business opportunities across the GCC and selected international markets.

Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, has introduced advanced automated technology to test the quality of oils and fats, cutting testing time from two hours to just two minutes while significantly expanding laboratory capacity.

The technology enables accurate and reliable analysis without human intervention, supporting the early detection of indicators linked to the oxidation and quality of oils and fats during manufacturing and storage, a WAM report said.

The move strengthens Dubai Municipality’s proactive food-control capabilities and supports the safety and quality of food products available across the emirate.

Testing capacity rises 900%

The new technology marks a major advancement in oil and fat quality testing by automatically generating results and accelerating sample processing. It increases the laboratory’s daily testing capacity by 900 per cent, from six samples to 60 samples per day.

Read more: Dubai to roll out ‘Work from Park’ spaces in push to blend productivity with green areas

The higher capacity allows Dubai Central Laboratory to process a significantly greater volume of samples more efficiently, helping regulators respond faster to potential quality concerns across the food manufacturing sector.

The system also supports the laboratory’s adoption of green practices by eliminating the chemical consumables required under conventional testing methods. This improves resource efficiency and reduces the environmental impact of laboratory operations while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of results and compliance with international standards.

Technology strengthens food safety

Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department at Dubai Municipality, said the introduction of the technology represents an important step in the continued development of the laboratory’s testing capabilities through advanced scientific and technological solutions.

“The adoption of this technology enhances the efficiency and speed of laboratory testing while maintaining the accuracy and reliability required to support food safety and consumer protection,” she said.

“By increasing testing capacity and enabling faster analysis, we can strengthen proactive regulatory processes and respond more efficiently to developments within the food manufacturing sector.”

She added that the technology would also help strengthen consumer confidence in the safety and quality of food products available in Dubai.

“It enables regulatory authorities to identify potential quality issues more rapidly and helps ensure that products comply with approved international standards and specifications,” Ahmed said.

Dubai Central Laboratory continues to develop its technical capabilities and laboratory services through advanced technologies that enhance accuracy, efficiency and sustainability.

These efforts support consumer protection and contribute to ensuring the quality and safety of products available across Dubai.

Fujairah International Airport and GODOBA Travel and Tourism have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic framework for cooperation focused on enhancing travel services, improving the passenger experience and supporting the airport’s commercial and operational growth. The agreement signals a broader push to strengthen Fujairah’s appeal to travellers.

The MoU was signed by Ebraheim Alqallaf, deputy director-general of Fujairah International Airport, and Raad Al Abri, Chief Executive Officer of GODOBA Travel and Tourism, during an official ceremony in Fujairah, according to a WAM report. It brings together the expertise and capabilities of both parties to pursue joint initiatives.

The partnership will promote the airport’s existing flights and destinations while contributing to the development of integrated travel and tourism opportunities.

Read more: How Etihad Rail could transform Fujairah into the UAE’s next tourism hotspot

Both sides will exchange market insights and explore measures to support destination and route development, while promoting travel services that can broaden awareness of Fujairah’s connectivity and attractions regionally.

Digital focus

Digital solutions will be part of cooperation, with the two organisations exploring ways to improve access to travel information and booking services. The focus is to make trip planning more convenient for passengers while creating opportunities to connect travellers with destinations, flights and offerings available through Fujairah International Airport.

The agreement also aims to strengthen regional air connectivity and support Fujairah’s continued development as a business and leisure destination. For the airport, the partnership can build stronger links between aviation, travel services and tourism demand, supporting growth.

The partnership also reflects a growing focus across the travel sector on digital tools and commercial cooperation to improve the end-to-end passenger journey. Both parties will assess practical initiatives to strengthen traveller engagement, encourage demand and support traffic.

Airport leaders highlight growth plans

Alqallaf said, “This MoU represents an important step in strengthening Fujairah International Airport’s cooperation with the travel and tourism sector. By working closely with GODOBA Travel and Tourism, we aim to explore practical initiatives that enhance the passenger experience, support the growth of travel through Fujairah, and contribute to stronger air connectivity.”

Al Abri said, “This MoU provides a strong foundation for cooperation across a range of areas, including travel services, digital solutions, destination development, and passenger engagement. We look forward to working together on initiatives that make travel more accessible and convenient while supporting Fujairah’s growing role within the regional travel and tourism sector.”

Both sides reaffirm their commitment to sustainable passenger growth, enhanced travel services and a stronger role for Fujairah’s tourism economy.

A 19-year-old law student raised in the UAE has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026, securing the opportunity to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico later this year.

According to media reports, Kaziah Liz Mejo, who was born in the UAE to parents from Kerala, won the national title at the Miss Universe India 2026 finale held in Jaipur on August 23. She succeeded outgoing titleholder Manika Vishwakarma after emerging as the winner from a field of more than 50 contestants from across India. The judging panel included former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen alongside other former beauty queens and industry figures.

Raised in Abu Dhabi, Mejo is pursuing a law degree while building a career in modelling. Her victory marks another milestone in a pageant journey that has gathered momentum over the past two years. She previously won Miss Teen Diva 2024 and finished as the first runner-up at Miss Teen International 2025 before claiming the Miss Universe Kerala title earlier this year.

Beyond pageantry, Mejo is trained in classical dance and has participated in music and acting, reflecting the increasingly multidisciplinary profile of contestants competing on international beauty platforms.

Mejo will now begin preparations to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico, where she will compete against contestants from around the world for the international crown. India has won the Miss Universe title three times previously, through Sushmita Sen in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000 and Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021.