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Emirates will expand its operations to Manila with four additional weekly flights starting April 2, as part of its Southeast Asia growth strategy. The flights, EK330/331, will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. EK330 departs Dubai at 12:45 p.m., arriving in Manila at 1:25 a.m. the next day, while EK331 returns from Manila at 3:25 a.m., landing in Dubai at 8:25 a.m. All flights will use Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The aircraft feature eight First Class suites, 42 lie-flat Business Class seats, and 304 Economy Class seats. The expansion increases connectivity for corporate travelers, maritime clients, and the Filipino diaspora across Emirates’ global network, including destinations in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and South Africa. The additional flights also improve connections to North America and late-morning European departures via Dubai.

Each 777-300ER offers up to 20 tonnes of cargo capacity, enhancing trade between Dubai, Manila, and Emirates’ wider network. The expansion comes amid growing economic ties between the UAE and the Philippines, supported by the recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Emirates began flights to Manila in 1990 and now operates 28 weekly services, including circular routes to Cebu and Clark, which will increase to 34 weekly flights with the new services. Through a partnership with Philippine Airlines, Emirates provides connections to multiple domestic points with baggage check-through to final destinations.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce has launched the Holiday Homes Business Group to support the growth and development of the emirate’s holiday homes sector. The group brings together companies specializing in holiday home management and aims to provide a unified voice to advocate for the sector’s interests.

The group will serve as a platform for dialogue between government authorities and private companies, addressing the sector’s current landscape, challenges, and opportunities. It will also provide recommendations to strengthen regulatory policies, promote professional standards, and support the long-term, sustainable growth of Dubai’s holiday homes market.

Dubai’s holiday homes sector has expanded significantly, with 2,928 companies now registered as members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce. This growth reflects the broader performance of Dubai’s tourism industry, which has driven increased demand for short-term rental accommodations.

Maha Al Gargawi, Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chambers, said the initiative reinforces the role of business groups in linking the private sector with decision-makers, shaping policy, promoting best practices, and supporting innovation across sectors.

The Holiday Homes Business Group underscores Dubai’s focus on strengthening its tourism infrastructure and maintaining its position as a leading global destination.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), has completed an expansion of the bridge leading to Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport. The upgrade increased the number of lanes from three to four, boosting the bridge’s capacity from 4,200 to 5,600 vehicles per hour, a 33 percent rise.

The expansion is intended to improve traffic flow, reduce travel times, and enhance the overall experience for airport users. It is part of RTA’s broader strategy to strengthen the efficiency of Dubai’s road network and ensure seamless connectivity between major corridors and critical facilities.

The new bridge features steel box girders with a composite concrete deck, a design chosen for structural efficiency and rapid construction without disrupting traffic on Airport Street or requiring temporary supports beneath the bridge. The project also included road pavement upgrades, improvements to utilities and supporting infrastructure, new street lighting, and landscaping to integrate the bridge with the surrounding road network.

RTA and DAEP emphasized that the project aligns with the operational needs of Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, and supports the sustainable growth of air traffic. The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing infrastructure development, efficient traffic management, and enhancing Dubai’s position as a leading hub for aviation and international travel.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, opened the 30th UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai 2026) at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The three-day event, running through January 21, attracts over 74,000 participants from 155 countries.

AEEDC Dubai, now recognized as the world’s largest annual scientific conference and exhibition for dentistry and oral health, brings together experts, academic institutions, and companies to exchange knowledge and showcase advances in dental technologies and practices. The exhibition features more than 5,860 brands represented by 4,319 companies, including international pavilions from Germany, Brazil, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Italy, and Korea.

The conference includes 183 scientific sessions, 20 hands-on workshops, and 390 poster presentations, with over 192 international speakers covering fields such as digital dentistry, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, laser and robotic dentistry, oral implantology, and forensic odontology. Egypt participates as Guest of Honour, reflecting ongoing strategic and healthcare cooperation with the UAE.

Organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions with support from the Dubai Health Authority, AEEDC Dubai continues to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global hub for medical knowledge, innovation, and professional development in dentistry.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Emirates has confirmed a six-year partnership with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, reinforcing the airline’s ongoing support for golf in Dubai.

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the region’s longest-running golf tournament, opens the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series. Since its 1989 debut at the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, the event has drawn top international players and global attention, establishing Dubai as a premier golf destination.

Under the partnership, Emirates will receive branding across the tournament grounds, including course signage, scoreboards, buggies, spectator areas, and digital platforms. The airline will also provide premium hospitality, Pro-Am participation, and exclusive experiences for its guests.

Sir Tim Clark, Emirates Airline President, noted the tournament’s role in showcasing Dubai’s golf courses worldwide and attracting leading players, while Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director, highlighted the collaboration as part of the event’s growth and international appeal.

The 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes place January 22–25, featuring top players including four-time champion Rory McIlroy, competing for a total prize of $9 million. Emirates has been a key partner in Dubai’s golf scene for nearly four decades and supports 21 tournaments across 26 countries through its association with the DP World Tour.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the fifth edition of World of Coffee Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on January 18, 2026. The exhibition runs through January 20.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee. During the visit, they toured several pavilions showcasing exhibits from across the coffee industry.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, briefed the visitors on the exhibition’s scale and international reach. Organised by DXB LIVE in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association, World of Coffee Dubai 2026 features over 2,100 companies from 78 countries, marking its largest and most internationally diverse edition to date.

The exhibition covers the full coffee value chain, from cultivation and production to processing, roasting, and brewing equipment. According to Statista, the global coffee sector’s projected revenue in 2026 is approximately $495.7 billion. The 2026 edition occupies more than 20,000 square metres and includes live auctions, international championships, workshops, and educational programs, providing trade and networking opportunities for industry professionals.

Khalid Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President of DXB LIVE, highlighted the growth of World of Coffee Dubai from a regional platform to a globally recognized hub connecting producers, manufacturers, and buyers.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Dubai has increased its network of electric vehicle (EV) charging points to more than 1,860, according to HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The expansion includes stations licensed by DEWA in partnership with government and private sector entities.

As of mid-January 2026, the EV Green Charger initiative had registered 23,600 users and supplied over 55,200 megawatt hours of electricity since its 2014 launch. DEWA estimates this amount of electricity could power more than 276 million kilometres of EV travel.

Al Tayer emphasized that the expansion supports Dubai’s broader sustainability goals, including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030. The initiative aligns with efforts to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and position Dubai as a global leader in green mobility.

DEWA offers four types of charging stations - ultra-fast, fast, public, and wall-box - accessible through its website, mobile app, and 14 additional digital platforms. Customers can create a Green Charger account or use the service through the ‘Guest Mode’ feature, allowing access to stations within an hour of vehicle registration.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Chambers held a roadshow in Shenzhen and Guangzhou to deepen cooperation with 18 Chinese entities spanning government bodies, chambers of commerce, and trade and investment promotion organizations. The meetings focused on strengthening institutional ties and advancing bilateral trade and investment.

The delegation presented Dubai’s advantages as a global hub for commerce and capital, emphasizing its role as a gateway for companies from China’s Greater Bay Area seeking international expansion. Officials outlined the support available to Chinese firms establishing operations in Dubai and highlighted how Dubai International Chamber’s network of overseas offices helps Dubai-based companies expand abroad.

Talks also addressed collaboration across strategic sectors and previewed opportunities to be presented at the Dubai Business Forum - China, scheduled for May 14, 2026, in Shenzhen. The forum will introduce Chinese businesses to investment prospects linked to the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said the organization aims to build on longstanding economic ties with China and foster partnerships that support growth in trade and investment.

The Shenzhen forum will be the fifth international edition of the Dubai Business Forum and the second held in China. The city was selected for its leadership in the digital economy and technology, aligning with the forum’s focus on cross-border collaboration and global market access.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Chambers met with a delegation from the U.S. state of Illinois led by State Senator Seth Lewis to discuss strengthening business partnerships and expanding trade and investment links. The meeting focused on practical avenues to deepen economic cooperation between Dubai and Illinois.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, welcomed the delegation and outlined opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, and participation in business events in both markets. Dubai Chambers reiterated its commitment to supporting U.S. companies seeking to enter or expand in Dubai, while highlighting available investment frameworks and private sector partnerships.

Discussions emphasized shared interests in logistics, advanced manufacturing, technology, and sustainable energy. Participants also explored Dubai’s role as a gateway for Illinois exports to Africa and the Middle East and North Africa, as well as potential logistics partnerships to strengthen supply chains and expand services in Illinois.

The talks also covered cooperation in innovation-driven sectors, including quantum computing, renewable energy, and other advanced technologies. Both sides agreed to continue economic dialogue to support growth and closer trade integration.

Trade relations between Dubai and the United States remain strong, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching AED 116.4 billion in 2024, reflecting annual growth of 10%.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.