The GCC is buzzing with updates as September 2026 gets underway, with developments in tourism, payments, road safety, aviation infrastructure and airline expansion all pointing to a steady season of growth across the region.
5 GCC Updates
1. Global Village Set For Autumn Return
Dubai’s beloved Global Village closed its doors on its milestone 30th season on May 31, 2026, and is currently closed for the summer. While there is no official opening date confirmed, the attraction is widely expected to return in October 2026 for its 31st season, with opening ceremonies traditionally held mid-month on a Wednesday, suggesting October 14 or 21 as possible dates. The venue will also mark 20 years since relocating to its 17.2-million-square-foot Dubailand site in 2005.
2. Dubai Pushes Ahead On Cashless Transition
Dubai’s government has ramped up its campaign to make the emirate cashless, aiming for 90 percent of public and private sector transactions to be digital by the end of 2026. First unveiled in October 2024 under the Executive Council’s direction, the strategy is projected to add over AED8 billion annually to the economy. A visible step came in June, when parking meter operator Parkin phased out cash payments entirely in favour of app- and SMS-based transactions. Officials stress that cash remains legal tender during the transition, but digital wallets, AI-driven payment tools and contactless technology are increasingly taking centre stage.
3. RTA Rolls Out School Safety Drive
With Dubai’s 2026–2027 academic year underway, the Roads and Transport Authority has launched a wide-ranging safety campaign. It includes a 30-day inspection blitz on school buses, expanded dedicated school transport through Careem, Uber, Bolt and a new Yango ride-pooling service in Al Barsha, and increased frequency on more than 30 bus routes near school zones. The RTA also highlighted a 16-year record of zero traffic fatalities in Dubai school zones since 2010, crediting engineering upgrades and awareness programmes aimed at students, parents and drivers alike.
4. Al Maktoum Airport Expansion Accelerates
Dubai Airports plans to award a further AED55 billion in construction contracts by year-end for the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), on top of AED13 billion already under execution. CEO Paul Griffiths said more than 10 million work hours have been logged in 15 months, with 17,000 piles driven and 45 million cubic metres of earth moved. The first phase is due to open in 2032, eventually giving DWC capacity for 260 million passengers annually and cementing it as Emirates’ future home hub.
Also Read: Kuwait Ending Mid-Day Work Ban To SalamAir Launching Flights To Sylhet; 5 GCC Updates
5. Qatar Airways Restores Saudi Routes
Qatar Airways is resuming flights to four Saudi Arabian cities this winter: Qassim from October 25, Taif from October 31, and Yanbu and Tabuk from January 2–3, 2027, each with twice-weekly service from Doha. The move lifts the carrier’s Saudi network to more than 155 weekly flights, a 10 per cent jump over summer levels, reflecting sustained demand for Gulf connectivity.
Together, these developments underscore the GCC’s continued investment in tourism, infrastructure and connectivity as the region heads into its busier winter season.
Cover Image Courtesy: Qatar Airways/X
FAQs
When will Global Village Dubai reopen for its 31st season?
An official date hasn't been confirmed, but it's expected to open in October 2026, likely on Wednesday October 14 or 21, following its usual mid-month pattern.
What is the RTA doing to improve school transport safety this year?
It's running a 30-day school bus inspection campaign, adding dedicated services via Careem, Uber, Bolt and Yango, and boosting frequency on 30+ bus routes near school zones for the 2026–2027 academic year.