From Lufthansa’s Starlink Wi-Fi To UAE Jaywan Cards Going Global, 5 GCC Updates To Know

From faster internet in the skies to easier international card payments, the Gulf is seeing plenty of interesting developments this week. Riyadh is adding a new wellness experience to its events calendar, Kuwait is handing residents a long weekend, and Dubai has another development worth tracking. Here are five GCC updates to keep on your radar.

5 GCC Updates For Today

1. Lufthansa To Bring Starlink-Powered Wi-Fi To Its Flights

Next week, a Lufthansa Group Airbus A320neo will become the first aircraft to take off equipped with Starlink-powered internet, the fastest in-flight connectivity currently available. In many cases, the bandwidth on board will outpace what passengers get at home or in the office.

Lufthansa Group is working with Starlink to equip around 850 aircraft across its airlines. It will make it the largest European airline group to adopt the technology at this scale. Also, the system, powered by low-earth-orbit satellites, supports video streaming, cloud-based work and other high-speed applications mid-flight. The full rollout is expected to be complete by 2029, with the service free for status customers and Travel ID members across all travel classes.

2. UAE’s Jaywan Cards To Work Across 183 Countries

UAE residents using Jaywan cards are set to gain far greater flexibility when travelling abroad. Al Etihad Payments has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UnionPay International, allowing Jaywan mono-badged cardholders to use their cards at more than 100 million points of sale and 1.8 million ATMs across over 183 countries and regions.

Transactions made outside the UAE will be routed through the UAE National Switch, operated by Al Etihad Payments, with a separate agreement covering settlement, liquidity and foreign exchange arrangements to support the card’s global expansion.

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3. Kuwait Gets A Three-Day Weekend

Planning a long weekend? Kuwait has declared Thursday, August 27, 2026, a public holiday marking the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid), giving government employees a three-day break running into the regular Friday–Saturday weekend. The Gulf nation regularly extends weekends around official holidays, giving residents a window for short trips or simply an extra day off. For anyone eyeing a quick getaway, this could be the perfect excuse to finally book that overdue trip.

4. Riyadh Adds A Neon Twist To Wellness

Wellness in Riyadh just got a playful makeover. A new neon-themed wellness party is blending self-care with a lively social setting. It’s reflecting how the Saudi capital’s events scene continues to push past traditional entertainment formats. The concept slots neatly into Riyadh’s fast-growing wellness culture, which already spans Pilates studios, recovery experiences and specialised longevity centres.

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5. Dubai South Fire: Trucks & Caravans Damaged In Workshop Blaze

Dubai Civil Defence confirmed that the fire that broke out last night in the Dubai South area resulted from an incident at a workshop, causing several trucks and caravans to catch fire. The fire was extinguished, with no injuries reported.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 5, 2026

A fire broke out in Dubai South on Tuesday evening as mentioned by Arabian Business. It was sparked by an incident at a workshop that spread to several nearby trucks and caravans. Dubai Civil Defence confirmed the blaze and said no injuries were reported after firefighting teams brought the situation under control. Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of the workshop incident or the extent of the property damage.

So, whether you’re planning your next trip or simply keeping tabs on what’s happening across the Gulf, here are five GCC updates worth knowing this week.

Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied