Author: gulf-daily.com

Etihad Airways has officially inaugurated its first flight to Atlanta, marking a significant step in the airline’s ongoing North American expansion. The inaugural service from Abu Dhabi to Atlanta touched down on July 2, 2025, connecting the capital of the UAE with the economic hub of the southeastern United States. The launch of the new route adds Atlanta to Etihad Airways’ existing U.S. destinations, which include New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston. With the addition of Atlanta, the airline now offers direct services to five major U.S. cities, strengthening connectivity between the United States and the Middle East. Passengers departing from Abu Dhabi benefit from the…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported steady growth in global air travel demand for May 2025, with international passenger traffic showing notable gains despite regional variations. According to IATA’s latest data release, total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased by 5.0 percent compared to the same month in 2024. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), also grew by 5.0 percent year-on-year. The overall load factor for May stood at 83.4 percent, marking a slight decline of 0.1 percentage points compared to May 2024. The load factor reflects the percentage of available seating capacity…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on world leaders to seize what he described as a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to close the $4 trillion financing gap that threatens the ability of developing countries to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking at the opening session of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Sevilla, Spain, Guterres stressed the urgent need for global cooperation to address the shortfall and deliver a fairer, more sustainable future. The conference, held amid record-breaking June temperatures in Sevilla, has drawn participation from nearly 60 heads of state and government, representatives from over 150 nations,…

Global air cargo demand increased by 2.2 percent in May 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The report shows that international air cargo operations recorded a slightly stronger growth rate of 3.0 percent, highlighting the sector’s steady performance despite prevailing economic challenges. The growth in demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), comes alongside a 2.0 percent rise in overall cargo capacity, based on available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK). For international operations, cargo capacity expanded by 2.6 percent year-on-year. The modest increase in capacity reflects airlines’ efforts to adjust…

The European Commission and Ukraine have reached an agreement in principle to modernize their existing trade relationship, marking a significant step in Ukraine’s gradual integration into the European Union’s economic framework. The announcement follows the conclusion of negotiations on the review of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which operates under the broader EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The updated trade arrangement reflects a shared commitment to building a long-term, stable, and predictable economic partnership. According to the European Commission, this revised framework is designed to strengthen bilateral trade while addressing concerns raised by EU Member States, particularly regarding the protection of sensitive agricultural sectors. The…

Türkiye has evacuated more than 50,000 people from regions affected by widespread forest fires, with the western province of Izmir experiencing the most significant impact, the country’s disaster management agency confirmed on Monday. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), fires have broken out across multiple provinces, including Izmir, Bilecik, Hatay, Sakarya, and Manisa. The scale of the fires has forced the relocation of residents from 41 different settlements to temporary safe zones established by authorities. The evacuations are part of a large-scale emergency response as officials work to contain the rapidly spreading blazes. Türkiye’s Minister of Agriculture and…

At least 45 people have died across Pakistan as heavy monsoon rains and flash floods devastated several regions, according to disaster management officials on Sunday. The relentless downpours, which began earlier this week, have caused widespread destruction, with the worst impacts seen in areas already struggling with poverty and inadequate infrastructure. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, has been the most severely affected. Authorities confirmed that 21 people, including 10 children, lost their lives in the province. In the Swat Valley, a popular tourist destination, at least 14 people were killed when flash floods swept away families gathered near a riverbank. Rescue operations are ongoing, but access…

The European Union reported a decline in both the value and volume of petroleum imports during the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The figures reveal a continued shift in the region’s energy import patterns, marked by reduced petroleum shipments and a notable rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Between January and March 2025, the EU imported €95.3 billion worth of energy products, totaling 176.4 million tonnes. This reflects a marginal increase of 0.3% in the overall value of energy imports compared to the same period in 2024, while the…

Global goods trade saw a notable increase in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest report from the World Trade Organization (WTO). The rise was largely attributed to importers accelerating purchases in anticipation of higher tariffs later in the year. Despite the current upswing, a decline in export orders has raised concerns that trade momentum may slow in the coming months. The WTO’s Goods Trade Barometer, a composite leading indicator for global merchandise trade, rose to 103.5 in June, up from 102.8 in March. A reading above 100 suggests that trade volumes are performing above trend, while figures below…

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Minsk, Belarus. The discussions highlighted the growing strategic cooperation between the UAE and the Russia, with a focus on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing global challenges. At the beginning of the meeting, the Crown Prince conveyed greetings from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Putin. He expressed the UAE’s best wishes for the health and wellbeing of the Russian leader and for the continued stability and prosperity of Russia and its people. In response, President Putin extended…