Economic growth across developing Asia and the Pacific will moderate to 5.0% in 2026 from 5.5% in 2025. The Asian Development Bank raised its 2026 forecast by 0.1 percentage point from its July estimate. Growth should edge up to 5.1%
UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan joined a meeting called by U.S. President Donald Trump in New York on September 22. The session brought together leaders and senior officials from Arab and Islamic
Travel
Dubai-based flag carrier Emirates has entered the northern winter travel period with robust forward booking metrics across its international network, outpacing initial corporate projections. The performance follows a high-density summer operational cycle during which the airline transported more than 8.6
Etihad Airways will launch year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on Oct. 4, 2026. The service will connect Zayed International Airport with Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province. Etihad will start with one weekly
Indonesia reopened Jakarta’s main airport and several regional airports Tuesday after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel. More than 340,000 travelers faced delays, cancellations or diversions during the disruption. Nearly 3,000 flights across Indonesia felt the impact. Authorities
Low-cost carrier operator Air Arabia announced a strategic expansion of its Southeast Asian operations on Friday, increasing flight frequencies between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Starting October 25, 2026, the airline will introduce a fourth daily non-stop service connecting
Air Arabia will launch nonstop flights between Sharjah and Gdansk on Dec. 14, 2026. The new route will link Sharjah International Airport with Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport five times each week. Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and
Foreign tourist arrivals in South Korea exceeded 2 million in July 2026 as inbound travel continued above pre-pandemic levels. The country received 2,093,223 foreign visitors during the month, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. That total rose 20.8% from 1,733,199
Etihad Airways will launch seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times a week through March 21, 2027. The route will connect the UAE capital with Sweden’s second largest city
South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, its strongest monthly result since the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure marked a $1.44 billion improvement from June 2025, when the balance showed an $846.8 million deficit. Korea Tourism Organization data