Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), a global leader in ride-hailing and delivery, and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a leading autonomous driving technology firm. Under the agreement, autonomous vehicles will begin pilot operations via the Uber app in Dubai later this year.

Read-WeRide, Uber to roll out autonomous vehicles in 15 more cities

The initial phase will feature autonomous vehicles operating with a safety driver onboard to monitor performance and ensure safety. The full commercial rollout of driverless services is scheduled for 2026, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Field preparations for the pilot program are currently underway, led by Uber and WeRide with strategic oversight and support from the RTA.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA; Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer at Uber; and Ryan Zhan, Regional General Manager of Middle East and Africa at WeRide. The agreement was signed by senior representatives from all three organizations, including Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency; Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for MEA at Uber; and Eric Dong, Director of Capital Markets and Corporate Development at WeRide.

Supporting Dubai’s smart mobility vision

Mattar Al Tayer hailed the agreement as a strategic step toward positioning Dubai as a global leader in smart and sustainable transport solutions.

“The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap toward a smart and sustainable mobility future, aligned with the leadership’s vision to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city,” Al Tayer said. “This initiative supports the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai to autonomous transport by 2030.”

Al Tayer emphasised that this agreement reflects Dubai’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies and innovative transport solutions that align with global best practices.

Strengthening global partnerships

In his remarks, Al Tayer highlighted the role of global collaboration in advancing autonomous mobility.

“The RTA is expanding its network of international partners to deploy a diverse range of autonomous mobility solutions, including self-driving taxis, air taxis, and marine transport modes,” he said. “This will enhance road safety, improve quality of life for residents and visitors, and support first and last-mile connectivity across the public transport network.”

He added that the transition to autonomous mobility is no longer a futuristic concept but an emerging reality. “Technology developers and governments worldwide are accelerating efforts to build infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that enable the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles,” Al Tayer noted.

Uber and WeRide align with Dubai’s vision

Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Uber, underscored the importance of the Dubai launch in Uber’s global strategy.

“At Uber, we are building the future of transportation—autonomous, electric, and shared,” Hiemstra said. “We’re excited to launch in Dubai with WeRide as our first technology partner. This marks a key milestone in making autonomous vehicle services more accessible globally.”

Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, echoed the sentiment, calling the MoU a major step forward in the company’s regional expansion.

“The Middle East is a strategic priority for us,” Li said. “Just last month, we expanded our partnership with Uber to deploy robotaxis in 15 additional cities globally. This new agreement with RTA and Uber strengthens our commitment to Dubai’s goal of making 25 per cent of all transportation autonomous by 2030.”

Li added that WeRide’s advanced autonomous driving technology and global deployment experience position it to be a key enabler of this transformation.

Conclusion

The collaboration between RTA, Uber, and WeRide marks a pivotal milestone in Dubai’s efforts to lead the world in autonomous mobility. With pilot testing set to begin by the end of 2025 and a full commercial launch planned for 2026, Dubai is firmly on track to become a global testbed for cutting-edge transportation technologies.

The UAE has commenced its 21st annual ‘Midday Work Ban’, effective from June 15 until September 15.

A key part of the UAE’s sustainable labour strategy, the rule, enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), prohibits any outdoor work under direct sunlight between 12:30pm and 3pm daily.

The initiative aims to safeguard the health and safety of workers — particularly in construction and outdoor sectors — during the country’s peak summer heat, where temperatures often exceed 50°C.

MoHRE added that its inspection teams will conduct unannounced field visits to monitor compliance at work sites and labour accommodations across the country.

The ministry is also conducting awareness campaigns to inform both employers and employees of the regulations and the health risks of working in extreme heat.

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Penalties for violators of midday work ban

Violators of the Midday Work Ban face fines of Dhs5,000 per worker found working during the restricted hours, up to a maximum of Dhs50,000, and may risk suspension of the establishment’s classification or operational permits.

The ministry also encourages the public to report violations through its call centre (600590000), website, or smart app.

Measures to be undertaken for workers

Employers are obligated to provide shaded rest areas, cooling systems, drinking water, electrolytes, and first-aid kits.

Exceptions to the ban are made only for urgent tasks, such as infrastructure repairs, which must be reported in advance and compensated with alternative rest periods.

The initiative supports the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, fostering a resilient and inclusive workforce.

The country hosts over 200 nationalities, making the safety and dignity of all workers a national priority.

The UAE’s real gross domestic product (GDP) reached Dhs1.776tn in 2024, marking a 4 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). Non-oil GDP expanded by 5 per cent, totaling Dhs1.342tn, while oil-related activities contributed Dhs434bn to the overall economy, a WAM report said.

Read-Non-oil sector now makes up nearly 75% of UAE’s economy

Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri emphasised that the latest figures highlight renewed momentum and underline key milestones in the nation’s economic diversification efforts. “These indicators reflect the sustained success of the UAE’s economic strategies,” Al Marri said. “They demonstrate our transition toward an innovative, knowledge-based, and sustainable economic model in line with global trends and emerging technologies.”

Non-oil sectors accounted for 75.5 per cent of the UAE’s GDP by the end of 2024—an outcome the minister attributes to strong leadership and effective policy implementation. He affirmed that these results align with the broader goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to raise the national GDP to Dhs3tn within the next decade.

Diversification strategy driving growth

Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the FCSC, echoed the sentiment, calling the 4 per cent GDP growth “a reflection of exceptional economic performance” and proof of the UAE’s commitment to a sustainable, non-oil-driven growth model.

“The leadership’s forward-looking approach prioritizes economic diversification not just as a strategic goal but as a central operational principle,” she said. Ahli added that this model enhances national competitiveness and social well-being, while ensuring consistent progress across development indicators.

This approach has translated into notable sectoral growth across the economy. The transport and storage sector emerged as the fastest-growing contributor to GDP in 2024, posting a 9.6 per cent year-over-year increase. This surge was largely driven by record airport traffic, with UAE airports handling approximately 147.8 million passengers—an increase of nearly 10 per cent.

Sectoral Highlights: Transport, construction, and finance

The building and construction sector recorded an 8.4 per cent growth rate, buoyed by significant urban infrastructure investments. Financial and insurance activities also performed well, growing by 7 per cent, followed by the hospitality sector—hotels and restaurants—which expanded by 5.7 per cent. The real estate sector grew by 4.8 per cent.

Among non-oil sectors, trade remained the top contributor to GDP, accounting for 16.8 per cent, followed by manufacturing at 13.5 per cent, and financial and insurance services at 13.2 per cent. The construction sector contributed 11.7 per cent, while real estate activities represented 7.8 per cent of non-oil GDP.

As the UAE continues its shift toward a knowledge-driven and globally competitive economy, government officials remain confident that these figures demonstrate a robust foundation for future growth and long-term economic sustainability.

Major airlines across the UAE have announced a wave of flight cancellations and suspensions in response to escalating regional tensions and airspace restrictions affecting parts of the Middle East.

The decisions have disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers and prompted rerouting of several flights, with carriers citing safety as their top priority.

Emirates suspends flights to four countries

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon due to the evolving security situation.

The affected destinations include:

Amman, Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon — suspended until and including Sunday, June 22

Tehran, Iran, and Baghdad and Basra, Iraq — suspended until and including Monday, June 30

Read-Iran, Iraq airspace closure: DXB, Sharjah airports issue statement

Customers traveling through Dubai with final destinations in these countries — or those with onward connections via flydubai to suspended destinations — will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.

Emirates urged affected travelers to contact their travel agent for rebooking or, if booked directly, reach out to the airline. Passengers are also advised to check flight status on emirates.com and update their contact details via the airline’s Manage Your Booking feature to receive timely alerts.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and continue to monitor the situation closely,” the airline said in a statement. “The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority.”

Etihad cancels Tel Aviv flights, resumes Jordan and Lebanon routes

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways also announced continued disruptions due to regional airspace closures, particularly affecting flights to Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Tel Aviv (TLV) are canceled through June 17. Services between Abu Dhabi and Amman (EY 591/592) and Beirut (EY 581/582) are set to resume June 15 with revised schedules for passengers holding existing bookings.

Etihad noted it is rerouting multiple other services due to restricted airspace and will not accept transit passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi to canceled destinations.

“This remains a developing situation, and some delays may occur,” the airline said. “We are assisting impacted guests with alternative arrangements.”

Travelers are advised to check etihad.com, the airline’s mobile app, or call the Etihad Contact Centre for real-time updates.

Wizz Air suspends Tel Aviv and Amman routes

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air confirmed it is suspending all flights to and from Tel Aviv and Amman until June 20 amid ongoing instability in the region.

Additionally, the airline warned that flights overflying affected airspace — including services to and from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport — may also face disruptions.

Passengers can opt for free rebooking or request a full refund in WIZZ credits or to their original payment method. Those who booked through third parties should contact them directly.

Wizz Air urged travelers to monitor its website, app, or email and SMS notifications for the latest flight status and instructions.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and thank all passengers for their understanding,” the airline said. “Safety remains our top priority.”

flydubai cancels routes across multiple countries

flydubai has also suspended flights to several destinations in response to the ongoing crisis and airspace restrictions:

Until June 16: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

Until June 17: Minsk (Belarus), St. Petersburg (Russia)

Until June 20: Iran, Iraq, Israel

Passengers connecting through Dubai International Airport (DXB) with final destinations in affected areas will not be accepted for travel until further notice.

The airline advised customers to manage rebooking options online and keep contact information updated via the Manage Booking portal. Flight status updates are available at flydubai.com.

“Some flights may be rerouted or delayed. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding,” flydubai said, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation.

Air Arabia cancels broad range of flights

Sharjah-based Air Arabia announced cancellations across a wide range of destinations due to airspace closures and escalating regional tensions.

On June 14, flights to Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan were canceled.

On June 13, the airline had already suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and several of the same Central Asian and Caucasus countries.

Passengers transiting through Sharjah or Abu Dhabi to these destinations will not be accepted for travel at their origin airports until further updates are issued.

Several other flights have also been rerouted or delayed as a result.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that, starting from June 10 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH), international pilgrims seeking Umrah visas must first secure and document their accommodation contracts through the kingdom’s digital platform, Nusuk Masar.

According to a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, the new regulation requires all Umrah service providers — including companies, establishments, and foreign agents — to book accommodations exclusively in hotels licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.

All housing agreements must be electronically documented on the Nusuk Masar platform prior to the issuance of any Umrah visa.

The ministry said the move is designed to protect pilgrims’ rights, raise service standards, and ensure high-quality, licensed accommodations throughout the pilgrimage. “The new decision aims to enhance the professionalism of service delivery, improve the experience for both visitors and Umrah performers, and guarantee that pilgrims stay in licensed, compliant facilities,” the statement said.

The policy introduces tighter regulatory oversight to prevent housing-related fraud and address ongoing concerns about overbooking and accommodation standards.

Service providers have been urged to comply promptly, with the ministry warning that delays or failures in documentation could result in visa processing issues or penalties.

Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the directive aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to modernize and expand the kingdom’s religious tourism sector. By leveraging digital tools like Nusuk Masar, the initiative is expected to streamline the Umrah journey, from booking to accommodation and permits.

The Nusuk Masar platform acts as a centralised gateway for international pilgrims, offering multilingual educational resources and services to manage bookings and permits online.

Programme enhanced for Umrah season

Separately, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques is preparing to enhance its programme for the upcoming Umrah season through a series of initiatives aimed at welcoming pilgrims, worshippers, and visitors while raising awareness about the rituals.

The presidency stated that centers for responding to religious inquiries have been expanded across 10 sites inside and outside the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in addition to four dedicated offices for phone-based inquiries. These services are staffed by 62 participating scholars — including judges and university faculty members — available around the clock.

The presidency also plans to enrich the devotional environment through religious and scholarly programs throughout the season. It is actively recruiting volunteers to serve in both the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.