The Dubai news you might have missed this week: June 20 to 26
From rental reforms and major transport news, it’s been a big week of announcements across Dubai
If you’ve been too busy to keep up with everything happening this week, consider this your quick Dubai news catch-up.
Etihad Rail announces passenger train launch date and ticket prices
Etihad Rail – Fujairah
During the inauguration of the new Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi, it was announced that an introductory operational phase will begin on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with passenger trains running between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Booking for the train is also now available.
Read about all the recent updates on the Etihad Rail here.
Dubai announces flexible summer working hours
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has announced the return of Our Flexible Summer – an initiative that allows for more flexible working environments for government employees. The Flexible Summer initiative will begin from June 29 to September 10, 2026 with two flexible schedules to pick from.
Read more here.
UAE expands visa-on-arrival to travellers from 6 more countries
Know someone planning a trip to the UAE? It (hopefully) just got easier, with the UAE visa on arrival programme now expanded to include eligible passport holders from six additional countries who meet the residency requirements. The update gives more travellers the opportunity to obtain a visa when they arrive in the Emirates, making the entry process simpler for those who qualify. The countries added are Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.
Emirates issues important summer travel warning
If you’re travelling with Emirates this summer, it may be worth heading to the airport earlier than usual. The airline has released updated travel advice ahead of one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with large numbers of passengers expected to pass through Dubai International Airport (DXB) during the school holidays. To help travellers avoid unnecessary delays, Emirates is encouraging passengers to plan ahead, use early check-in services where possible and allow extra time before their flight.
Read all the tips here.
Dubai school calendar 2026-27 announced
Image: Supplied
The end of the 2025-26 academic term is fast approaching, with Dubai’s private school students set to break up for the summer break on Friday, July 3. If you’re already wondering when the little ones will be off next so you can start holiday planning, head to this link here for the complete list of school holidays for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Summer is now officially here
Yeah, it has felt like a microwave for a while now, but summer officially only started on June 21. Yes, really. The start of summer is marked by the summer solstice, an annual astronomical event that signals the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. PS. The hottest part of the season is typically expected between June and September, when temperatures regularly soar and humidity levels rise, especially in coastal areas. In case you’re curious – astronomically, summer will continue until September 23, 2026, when the autumn equinox marks the start of autumn.
Read more here.
UAE announces 30-day visa grace period for affected travellers
The UAE announced a 30-day visa grace period for travellers whose plans were affected by recent regional disruptions. The initiative runs until July 9, 2026. Those who believe they may qualify for the grace period are encouraged to check the latest guidance through official ICP channels and ensure any required arrangements are completed before the deadline.
Read more here.
New bridge to Dubai Harbour now open
The new bridge to Dubai Harbour is here, and it is said to cut travel times from 12 minutes to just three minutes. The new bridge provides direct access to Dubai Harbour for motorists travelling from both Jebel Ali and Deira. With two lanes in each direction, the bridge can accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour, helping ease congestion in one of Dubai’s busiest waterfront districts.
Read more here.
UAE public holidays 2027 dates revealed
We love a public holiday, and while we don’t have very many left for 2026, we now know of the public holiday dates in 2027. While the official dates will only be confirmed closer to each occasion, many public holidays can be estimated using the Islamic calendar. But the days will only move by a day or so, meaning you can still plan ahead.
For the whole list, head to this link here.
Dubai to reveal new guidelines for public behaviour and celebrations
Dubai is preparing to introduce new guidance on public behaviour and celebrations as part of its ongoing vision to become one of the world’s most liveable cities. One of the key initiatives is the upcoming Dubai Civility Guidebook, which will set out a framework for positive conduct in public spaces. Additionally, Dubai is also preparing to launch a Guidelines for Celebrating Different Occasions guidebook. Alongside the new guidebooks, the committee reviewed several projects focused on enhancing Dubai’s appearance and overall city experience.
Read more here.
Dubai announces Flexi Rents initiative helping tenants with housing costs
Dubai marina with modern skycrapers
Paying your rent in one, two or even four cheques could soon become a thing of the past, as Dubai has launched a new rental affordability initiative called Flexi Rents, designed to help residents better manage housing costs through more flexible payment options. While the programme currently covers 12 participating companies, Dubai Land Department says it plans to expand the initiative across the wider real estate market in phases.
Read more here.
