From Abu Dhabi’s Cashless Shift To Qatar’s Flight Disruptions, 5 GCC Updates

From natural occurrences in Oman to travel news for getting around in the UAE and other places, here are some updates from the GCC region

5 GCC Updates For The Region

1. Oman’s ‘Breathing Soil’ Leaves Residents Stunned

People in Oman were surprised to see the ground looking like it was “breathing” after a lot of rain. The earth was bubbling up like springs. This happens when rain gets trapped under the ground and has to come up. It looks pretty cool. Experts say it is not a problem. It is just not something you see every day, and many people in the area are talking about it.

2. Abu Dhabi Goes Fully Cashless From April 1

The city of Abu Dhabi is making a change for those who need to do business with the government. Starting April 1, 2026, you will not be able to pay with cash at government offices.

So what do you do instead?

• You can use websites like Tamm, DARI or Smarthub
• You can pay with a credit card at the offices
• Sometimes you can even use a bank transfer or a special payment link

3. Sharjah Bus Services Are Coming Back

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @rta_shj

Bus services in Sharjah are resuming. There were some problems with the weather that slowed things down. Now transport is getting back to normal. The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority has started running buses between Sharjah and other cities, like Ajman, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain. Some local buses in Kalba are also running. More buses will start running, but for now, the authorities are being careful to keep passengers safe.

4. Muscat Parks Reopen After Weather Break

Parks in Muscat are open again. This is news for families and people who like spending time outside. The Muscat Municipality closed the parks because of the weather. Now they are open again. This means that things are getting back to normal in the city.

5. Qatar Airways Disruptions Continue Across Gulf

There are still some problems with Qatar Airways flights. If you are planning to travel, you need to be careful. There are delays, cancellations, and schedule changes in Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Jordan because of problems with the airspace.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Your flight schedule might change at any minute
• Make sure to check your flight status before you leave your house
• If you need a refund or to book a flight it might take longer than usual

Some big airports, like Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, are still having problems, so you need to be flexible.

Also Read: OFFLIMITS Music Festival Rescheduled To Rains Expected In UAE; 5 GCC Updates For You

Why This Matters Right Now

These GCC updates might seem like they are not related, but they all affect your daily life. They affect how you travel, how you pay your bills and how you spend your time. So stay informed and plan. If you are not sure about something, check with official sources.

Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/ francescoridolfi.com from Rido