• A man walks past a thermal camera at Dubai International Airport. Reuters
    A man walks past a thermal camera at Dubai International Airport. Reuters
  • An airport official directs a passenger at Dubai International Airport. AFP
    An airport official directs a passenger at Dubai International Airport. AFP
  • Tourists from Ukraine arrive at Dubai International Airport on flydubai flight in July 2020. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    Tourists from Ukraine arrive at Dubai International Airport on flydubai flight in July 2020. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • Indian nationals queue to check in at the Dubai International Airport to board a repatriation flight in July 2020. AFP
    Indian nationals queue to check in at the Dubai International Airport to board a repatriation flight in July 2020. AFP
  • Emirates has introduced self-service check-in and bag drop facilities at Dubai International Airport in September 2020. Courtesy Emirates
    Emirates has introduced self-service check-in and bag drop facilities at Dubai International Airport in September 2020. Courtesy Emirates
  • Emirates flight crew arrive at Cape Town International airport in Cape Town in October 2020. Rodger Bosch / AFP
    Emirates flight crew arrive at Cape Town International airport in Cape Town in October 2020. Rodger Bosch / AFP
  • Relatives gather outside the Dubai International Airport to watch family members depart in May 2020 as India continues repatriation missions. Pawan Singh / The National
    Relatives gather outside the Dubai International Airport to watch family members depart in May 2020 as India continues repatriation missions. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Residents returning to the UAE can now visit any government-approved lab to get tested for Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National
    Residents returning to the UAE can now visit any government-approved lab to get tested for Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National
  • Travellers are direcred through Abu Dhabi International Airport in July 2020. Victor Besa / The National
    Travellers are direcred through Abu Dhabi International Airport in July 2020. Victor Besa / The National

UAE's air traffic increases by 200% in October


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Traffic in the UAE's airspace increased by 200 per cent this month compared with six months ago, when travel was restricted owing to Covid-19.

Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE's General Authority of Civil Aviation , said about 1,000 aircraft used the country's airspace each day in October, compared with about 500 planes in April.

Mr Al Suwaidi told state news agency Wam that the negative effect the pandemic had on the aviation industry was "gradually fading away".

He credited this revival to "practical solutions and stringent precautionary measures" introduced by the government to allow flights to operate safely.

Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE's General Authority of Civil Aviation. Sarah Dea / The National
Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE's General Authority of Civil Aviation. Sarah Dea / The National

He said this allowed the industry to recover as quickly as it had, while limiting the spread of the virus.

The UAE, along with many other countries, grounded all passenger flights in late March to prevent the spread of the virus.

Repatriation flights for Emiratis who were abroad and residents who wished to return to their home countries continued during the past seven months.

The global aviation industry has taken a major financial hit because of the virus. Airlines have significantly reduced their staff and routes in an attempt to cut costs.

Without a second tranche of financial aid, many airlines will not make it through the winter

Global commercial flights in April were down 73.6 per cent compared with the same month the year prior, according to FlightRadar24.

An average of 191,611 flights per day were operated in May last year, but about 110,361 were tracked by FlightRadar24 during the same period this year.

The live air traffic tracker said flight rates were helped by an increase in cargo aircraft flights and passenger aircraft carrying cargo.

Despite the slow resumption of air travel, the International Air Transport Association estimates that job losses in aviation and related industries could climb to 1.7 million in the Middle East in 2020.

Last week, the association renewed calls for governments to extend financial support to airlines to help them overcome the crisis.

"Airlines continue to burn through cash and it is expected to persist into next year. Without a second tranche of financial aid, many airlines will not make it through the winter," said Alexandre de Juniac, director general and chief executive of the association.

It estimates that airline revenue will halve to $419 billion in 2020 because of the crisis.

"The Covid-19 pandemic remains an existential crisis and airports, airlines and their commercial partners need direct and swift financial assistance to protect essential operations and jobs," said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general of the Airports Council International World.

The two aviation organisations also renewed calls for governments to introduce the widespread and co-ordinated testing of passengers to help the aviation industry recover.

Emirates resumed passenger flights to "select destinations" from mid-April but these were mostly limited to bringing residents back to the UAE.

Travellers required approval from authorities to return to the country and had to follow strict safety measures.

By July, travel restrictions were eased further, allowing travel without approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Safety measures remained in place but Emiratis and residents were able to travel reasonably freely.

Despite the hardships facing airlines around the globe, Abu Dhabi launched two airlines.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between Sharjah's Air Arabia and Etihad Airways, began operations in July, while Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a budget airline, was also launched, although its maiden flight was postponed until November 15.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

The biog

Name: Mohammed Imtiaz

From: Gujranwala, Pakistan

Arrived in the UAE: 1976

Favourite clothes to make: Suit

Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550

 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale

Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White

Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse

Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins 

The biog

Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.

Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.

Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.

Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.

Results:

CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off

1.           Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds

2.           Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09

3.           Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42

4.           Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5.           Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

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