Saudi Arabia

Middle East Travel Alerts

Saudi Arabia updates family visa rules for skilled expatriate workers

Airlines have extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia amid security alerts, leaving passengers travelling between the UAE and the Kingdom facing cancellations and schedule adjustments. The US, UK, and Australia issued updated travel warnings citing threats to Saudi airports, including Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. Saudi forces intercepted inbound drones and ballistic missiles, while maritime security incidents were also reported in Gulf waters.

China–UAE News

UAE and Saudi Arabia Plan Assistance for Asian Emergency Crude Reserves

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are preparing to assist Asian nations in establishing regional emergency crude oil reserves. Bilateral discussions planned for the Asian Zero Emission Community meeting aim to explore storage agreements and safeguard supply corridors for key markets including China.

Industry News

Eurowings Expands Middle East Winter Schedule with Baghdad Flights and Dubai Services

Eurowings is expanding its winter 2026/2027 network from Germany with scheduled services across the Middle East, including new flights to Baghdad starting December 10, 2026. The carrier will operate 14 weekly flights to Dubai, alongside services to Jeddah, Erbil, Tel Aviv, Amman, and Beirut. Eurowings will also roll out its Premium BIZ Seat cabin on all Dubai flights beginning December 1, 2026.

China–UAE News

China Expands Gulf Tech Presence as US Enforces AI Chip Terms

Chinese direct investment in the UAE surpassed $12 billion in 2025 as Chinese technology initiatives expanded across cloud computing and digital services. Concurrently, US export rules require Gulf nations to strip Chinese hardware from core networks to maintain access to advanced American AI semiconductors. UAE firms like G42 have removed Chinese equipment, balancing deepening Chinese commercial ties against American technological conditions.