Emirates lands Premium Economy in Paris, Dubai deploys a smart survey robot, Riyadh Air lands in Manila, and more updates from across the Middle East today.
1. Emirates Deploys Premium Economy To Paris, Offering Next-Gen Cabins Across France
Emirates will introduce its award-winning Premium Economy cabin on the Dubai-Paris route from October 25, 2026, deploying a retrofitted Airbus A380 on daily flights EK071 and EK072. This completes the cabin’s rollout across all three of Emirates’ French gateways, Lyon, Nice and now Paris. Since launching in Lyon and Nice, Premium Economy has maintained a healthy load factor, with one in ten passengers on the France-Dubai route flying Premium. Beyond the new cabin, the retrofitted A380 also brings refreshed First, Business and Economy interiors in cream, bronze and sky-blue tones, with the airline’s signature ghaf tree motif woven throughout.
2. Sharjah Ruler’s Court Mourns Death Of Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi
The Sharjah Ruler’s Court has announced the passing of Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, brother of Deputy Ruler Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi. Funeral prayers will be held at King Faisal Mosque after Asr prayers on Friday, followed by burial at Al Jubail Cemetery. Three days of official mourning have been declared, with separate condolences for men and women starting Saturday.
3. Dubai Municipality Deploys Smart Robot For Geospatial Surveys
Dubai Municipality has rolled out a LiDAR-equipped smart robot to carry out geospatial surveys with minimal human intervention, capturing precise coordinates, panoramic imagery and 3D data. At the Wadi Al Amardi Housing Project, the robot cut customer waiting time by 472 days combined and slashed operating costs by 90%, while reducing fieldwork by 24 days.
4. Cairo’s Magra El Oyoun Aqueduct Enters Restoration Phase Two
Phase two of restoring Cairo’s historic Magra El Oyoun Aqueduct has begun, focusing on its 18-metre-high section overlooking the Nile Corniche. Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber said the work coordinated with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities includes stonework treatment and structural securing, following archaeological restoration standards.
5. Grand Egyptian Museum Crosses 6.5 Million Visitors
The Grand Egyptian Museum has recorded more than 6.5 million visitors since its November 2025 opening, ranking it among the world’s top museums for 2026 footfall, according to Egypt’s latest economic and social development report.
6. RTA Dubai Wins Global Governance Award
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has won the 3G Excellence Award in Corporate Governance Practices for 2026 from Cambridge IFA, recognising its adoption of global best practices in institutional governance and transparency.
7. Riyadh’s Security And History Dialogue Showcases 300-Year-Old Swords
An exhibition running alongside Riyadh’s Security and History Dialogue conference is giving visitors a look into Saudi Arabia’s historical memory, featuring 300-year-old swords alongside rare photographs, documents and heritage artefacts.
8. Riyadh Air Launches Nonstop Manila Flights
Riyadh Air kicked off nonstop service between Riyadh and Manila on September 9, with flight RX873 marking the airline’s 13th destination overall and seventh in Asia. The route currently runs four times weekly, rising to daily from October 19.
9. Wafi Mall Introduces Ticketless Paid Parking Through Salik
Dubai’s Wafi Mall and Wafi City have switched to a fully ticketless parking system managed by Parkonic, with fees automatically charged via Salik accounts or QR code. The first three hours remain free every day, including public holidays, with traditional tickets and cash payments phased out entirely.
10. Sharjah Announces Emirates Road Closure For Etihad Rail Works
A section of Emirates Road in Sharjah will be partially closed for a week as Etihad Rail infrastructure works continue. The closure affects traffic heading from Dubai towards Sharjah, running daily from 1am to 5am between September 11 and 18.
Cover Image Courtesy: Emirates/Website
FAQs
What did Dubai Municipality's new smart robot achieve?
It cut customer waiting time by a combined 472 days and reduced operating costs by 90% at the Wadi Al Amardi Housing Project.
How many destinations does Riyadh Air now fly to?
Manila became Riyadh Air's 13th overall destination and seventh in Asia, launched on September 9.