Emirates Gears Up for Double Daily A380s to New York and Paris

The expansion dovetails with the opening of Concourse A, the world’s first purpose-built A380 concourse, at Dubai International Airport in January

Saudi Arabia’s 2012 Budget Surplus At Record 14.2% Of GDP

2013 revenue projected at a conservative SAR829 bn, according to Emirates NBD, as spending on education and healthcare to increase.

Emirates And CAE Investment Tops $260 million

The Emirates CAE Flight Training Centre services over 200 aviation clients and trains more than 10,000 pilots and technicians a year

Kuwait Inflation To Keep Falling In 2013

The Gulf state’s inflation rate will slow to 4.1 per cent next year, says central bank chief.

Saudi Arabia Sets Record Budget For 2013

The government plans to spend $219 billion in 2013, 19 per cent higher than the amount budgeted for 2012.

New Airline Operating Licences In Saudi May Take 3-6 Months

Qatar Airways and Bahrain’s Gulf Air have become the first foreign airlines to obtain carrier licences in the Kingdom.

Qatar Airways Sues German Emirati JV For $600m

Airline claims Lindner Depa Interiors was to build 19 airport lounges at New Doha International Airport by the summer “but failed to complete the project on time”

Banking Special: Bahrain Remains Challenged

The country faces political problems and a hangover from banks that were affected in the global economic crisis.

Emirates Signs Five-Year Partnership With ATP

As part of the deal, Emirates will become the official airline of the ATP World Tour and the new title sponsor of the ATP Rankings.

Abu Dhabi Eyes More Indian Tourists In 2013

The emirate’s tourism authority is holding a five-city road show in India in January.

Dubai’s Ruler Inspects New Emirates’ A380 Terminal

The new facility at Terminal 3 of Dubai’s International Airport is scheduled to receive its first flight in January 2013.

UAE Bad Loan Provisions Drop For First Time Since Crisis

Provisions set aside for specific NPLs fell slightly to Dhs65.3 billion at the end of October from Dhs65.4 billion in September.

Air India Expands GCC Operations In 2012, Looks To Grow

The Indian carrier recently launched the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft between Dubai and New Delhi.

UAE’s United Arab Bank Obtains $125m Club Loan

The loan amount will be used for general corporate purposes.

Stocks News- Kuwait Drops The Most In 3 Weeks

The fall in the index was led by Kuwaiti investors selling out profitable positions ahead of holidays.

Dubai-Based QE2 Liner Not To Be Scrapped

Former owner Cunard dismisses reports that the Queen Elizabeth II liner will be scrapped.

Abu Dhabi Airport Sees 10% Rise In Nov Passenger Traffic

Over 13.4 million passengers passed through the capital’s airport in the first 11 months of this year.

Abu Dhabi Lender ADIB Starts Sudan Branch

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank is the UAE’s first lender to receive a banking license in the African nation.

UAE Top Destination For Euro Expats

Survey shows ‘significant increase’ in investment from Europe.

SABIC Affiliates In Deal To Build New Petchem Plant

The plant, located in Jubail, is expected to start production in the second half of 2014.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Deals

Gulf Business brings you five last minute online deals available until Christmas.

Dubai Targets 66m Passengers In 2013

Dubai International Airport is set to surpass its projected passenger traffic target of 56.5 million in 2012.

RAK To Open Two Key Hotels In 2013, Eyes More Tourists

The 632-room resort Rixos Bab Al Bahr will be joined by the 349-room Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.

Dubai’s MAF Group Eyes Egypt Supermarkets In $300m Deal

The Majid Al Futtaim group is reportedly in talks to buy the supermarket business of Mansour Group.

EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Jeff Immelt, GE Global CEO

Jeff Immelt, global boss of GE, opens up to Aarti Nagraj about ramping up regional spend, the challenge of leading 300,000 people and whether he sleeps at night.

Qatar Increases 2013 GDP Growth Forecast To 4.8%

The Gulf state had predicted a GDP growth rate of 4.5 per cent for 2013 in June.

Dubai’s du Secures $500m Debt Facility To Fund Business

The telecoms operator signed a $100 million three-year loan facility with Singapore’s DBS Bank last week.

UAE Warns Citizens To Avoid Lebanon Travel

The warning has been issued because of the “difficult and sensitive political circumstances in Lebanon,” says ministry.

Bidding For Saudi Midyan Gas Field Extended Again

Midyan, developed by Saudi Aramco, is expected to start production in 2013.

Qatar To Pump 200m Euros A Year Into French Soccer Club, PSG

Qatari fund QSI bought French club Paris Saint-Germain in June 2011.