Etihad To Operate A380 On Sydney, Melbourne Routes

The Abu Dhabi airline is also increasing flights to Australian destinations.

Costa Coffee To Introduce Camel Milk Drinks

The global coffee chain has introduced camel milk as an option for customers, as well as a new camel milk iced drink.

Bahrain’s Seafront Property Records Strong Sales

More than half of the plots on Dilmunia Island were sold out on the day they were launched, says developer.

Saudi Activist Freed After Two Years In Detention

Mohammed al-Bajadi, a founding member of the banned Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, was sentenced to four years in prison last year.

Etihad Eyes China And America Partnerships

Etihad, whose annual net profit tripled in 2012, holds stakes in Virgin Australia, Air Berlin, Aer Lingus and Air Seychelles.

Aldar’s Q2 Profit Jumps On Sorouh Merger Deal

Aldar said quarterly earnings included a one-time gain of Dhs2.6 billion principally driven by the acquisition of Sorouh’s assets.

Saudi’s Prince Salman Named Deputy Defence Minister

Prince Salman bin Sultan is a son of the late Crown Prince Sultan, a veteran defence minister until his death in 2011.

France Debates Extending Headscarf Ban To Universities

France’s 2004 ban on headscarves in schools and 2010 ban on full face veils in public have alienated many of its five million Muslims.

Standard Chartered Income Up 4% In H1 2013

Standard Chartered UAE recorded single digit growth in income during the first half of 2013.

Saudi Arabia Says Barred Sudanese President’s Plane For Lack Of Permit

Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s plane was barred from entering the Kingdom’s airspace this week while on a flight to Iran.

Business Confidence Riding High In Dubai

The majority of businessmen in Dubai expect a profitable third quarter this year, find two official surveys.

DAFZA Sees 44% Growth In H1 2013

Dubai Airport Freezone Authority saw 94 new international companies register in the first half of the year.

Siemens Wins $966.8m Contract From Saudi Aramco

The company will supply gas and steam turbines and other equipment for the upcoming Jazan power plant.

Majority Of ME Travellers Carry Phones On Holidays

A study by Visa finds regional travellers are “addicted” to their devices with 33 per cent using them to check-in online while abroad.

Job Creation Up In Saudi’s Non-Oil Private Sector

Despite a rise in raw material prices, the Kingdom’s non-oil sector has seen slight growth.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Swings To Small Profit In Q2

The bank made a net profit of Dhs1.3 million in the quarter, compared with a loss of Dhs15.9 million for the same period last year.

Exclusive Interview: Rory Tapner, Coutts CEO

Rory Tapner, Coutts CEO, reveals how the UK’s most famous private bank is set on carving out a slice of the region’s rapidly growing wealth.

Air Arabia Q2 Net Profit Rises 15%

The low-cost airline served over three million passengers during the first half of 2013

Google Offers Virtual Tour Of Emirates A380

Google has given access to all three classes and even the pilot’s cockpit of the world’s biggest jet through its Street View cameras.

Emirates Launches Luxury Private Jet Service

Emirates Executive launches at a time when business aviation is seeing a rise in regional demand.

Commercial Bank Of Qatar Appoints New CEO

The lender has named Abdulla Saleh al-Raisi as its chief executive officer.

Arabtec Appoints Former Burj Khalifa Exec As COO

Nabil Al Kendi was appointed COO of the Arabtec’s group of construction companies, a subsidiary of Arabtec Holding.

Dubai Hotel Occupancy Falls As Peak Season Winds Down

As the peak season for hospitality winds down, average occupancy across UAE and Saudi hotels witness a slight decline.

Dubai Contractor Drake Q2 Profit Rises 63.1%

Drake reported a net profit of Dhs52.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a profit of Dhs32 million in the corresponding quarter in 2012.

Dubai Establishes Design and Fashion Council

The council will create a strategy to develop Dubai’s fashion industry and support existing events in the sector.

Saudi Arabia Bars Sudan’s Bashir From Entering Airspace

It was not clear whether Bashir was on his way to the inauguration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Saudi Electricity Signs $3.4bn Contract With S.Korea’s HHI

Hyundai Heavy Industries will build a power plant with 2,640 megawatts of capacity in Shuqaiq.

Kuwait’s Kout Buys British Roadside Dining Chain Little Chef For $23m

The Kuwaiti form bought Little Chef from private equity firm RCapital.

UAE Experts Call For Sustainable Buildings To Combat Energy Demand

Experts advocate the use of solar technology to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency.

Abu Dhabi’s ADPC Pumps Dhs17m Into Port, Leisure Facilities

The investment in Marfa Port will be used to develop the port’s infrastructure and maritime leisure facilities.