Dubai's Eid al-Fitr celebrations in 2025 promise an unforgettable blend of tradition, modernity, and entertainment, offering residents and visitors a remarkable experience. Here's a detailed overview of what to expect:

Dates and Public Holidays

Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin on the evening of Sunday, March 30, 2025, with public holidays lasting from Monday, March 31 to Wednesday, April 2 (subject to moon sighting). Work will resume on Thursday, April 3. The holiday marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, celebrated with prayers, gatherings, and festivities.

Fireworks Extravaganza

Dubai's skies will light up with grand fireworks displays across multiple locations:

• Nessnass Beach: First day of Eid at 8 pm.

• Hatta: First day of Eid at 8 pm near the iconic Hatta Sign.

• The Beach opposite JBR and Bluewaters: Second day of Eid at 9 pm.

• Dubai Parks and Resorts: Fireworks on the first two days at 9:30 pm.

• Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain: Synchronized displays combining water, light, and fireworks.

These events are free to attend, offering scenic views and dining options nearby.

Cultural Experiences

Eid al-Fitr in Dubai highlights Emirati heritage through traditional performances:

• Eid Prayers: Held at dawn (expected around 6:10 AM), large congregations will gather at major mosques like Jumeirah Mosque, Al Salam Mosque (Barsha), and open prayer grounds across Dubai.

• Ayala Dance Performances: Traditional Emirati dance featuring bamboo canes performed in malls such as Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Ibn Battuta Mall. Additional performances will take place at Al Seef, Nakheel Mall, and Hatta Wadi Hub on subsequent days.

• Cultural Exhibitions: Explore Emirati art and history at venues like Etihad Museum, Al Shindagha Museum, and Alserkal Avenue.

Shopping Deals

Eid al-Fitr is a prime time for shopping with incredible promotions:

• Grand Prize Draws: AED 200,000 in prizes for shoppers at participating malls from March 15 through the third day of Eid.

• Jewelry Offers: Participating outlets offer 50% cashback on select diamond and pearl jewelry along with free gifts.

• SHARE Cashback: City Centre malls provide 10% cashback on purchases scanned into the SHARE app from April 1–6.

• Festival City Mall Gift Cards: Shoppers spending AED 300 or more can win a gift card worth AED 10,000.

Dining Highlights

Dubai offers a variety of culinary experiences during Eid:

• e& Beach Canteen: A food pop-up at Nessnass Beach featuring diverse dining concepts, live entertainment, and Chef’s Table experiences with renowned chefs like Kelvin Cheung (Jun’s) and Soleman Haddad (Moonrise). Events run from March 27 to April 13.

• Eid Brunches: Top locations for festive meals include Suq at Four Seasons Resort Dubai (Hyderabadi Biryani), Zenon at Kempinski (Australian Lamb Cutlets), Gaia DIFC (Seafood Pasta), Ce La Vi Dubai (Miso Black Cod), and Arabian Tea House (traditional Emirati dishes). Prices range from AED 150 to AED 850 depending on venue.

Family-Friendly Activities

Dubai caters to families with engaging activities:

• Dubai Parks & Resorts: Special packages for theme parks during Eid.

• IMG Worlds of Adventure: Indoor theme park offering extended hours.

• IMAGINE Show at Festival City Mall: Laser, light, and water projection show celebrating Eid nightly from 9 PM.

• Kids' Play Areas: Dedicated zones for children’s entertainment at Festival Bay’s outdoor market.

Desert Safari Experience

Celebrate Eid under the stars with an evening desert safari:

• Activities include dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, camel rides, henna painting, traditional dances, and a starlit barbecue dinner. The serene desert setting offers unforgettable moments for families or travelers seeking adventure.

Key Locations to Visit

During Eid celebrations in Dubai:

1. Downtown Dubai: Witness the Burj Khalifa light show or enjoy the Dubai Fountain spectacle.

2. Atlantis The Palm: Indulge in water rides or beach sports starting at AED 300.

3. The Green Planet: Explore wildlife exhibits for AED 140 per person.

4. Dubai Opera: Relax with live music performances priced around AED 350.

Dubai's Eid al-Fitr celebrations are a vibrant mix of spirituality, culture, entertainment, shopping deals, and family-friendly fun. Whether you're enjoying fireworks by the beach or savoring gourmet meals in luxury hotels, this festive season offers something for everyone. Make sure to plan ahead to fully immerse yourself in this extraordinary celebration!

British Airways flight BA519 from Lisbon to London Heathrow declared an emergency on July 5, 2025, while entering British airspace due to a technical issue with the aircraft’s nose gear steering system. The Airbus A319 (registration G-EUPG) departed Lisbon Airport at 18:33 WEST, nearly two hours behind its scheduled departure time, and was originally expected to land at Heathrow at 19:10 BST.

As the flight began its approach to London Heathrow, pilots activated the emergency squawk code 7700, signaling the need for a priority landing because the nose gear servo was malfunctioning, preventing the aircraft from steering on the ground. This technical issue raised concerns about safe taxiing after touchdown, prompting emergency protocols at the airport.

Air traffic control initially switched landings from runway 27L to 27R at 20:50 BST to manage traffic and emergency response. However, BA519 returned to final approach on runway 27L by 20:58 BST. The aircraft safely landed on runway 27L at 21:05 BST, where it was immediately met by emergency vehicles including fire trucks. The plane vacated the runway by 21:07 BST and was inspected on the taxiway, escorted by fire services.

By 21:24 BST, the aircraft had been guided to stand A14 at Terminal 5 for further inspection and passenger disembarkation. Normal landing operations resumed on runway 27L shortly before this. There have been no reports of injuries or further complications, and the incident was managed efficiently with coordinated emergency response.

The delay in departure from Lisbon and the subsequent emergency landing caused a ripple effect on airport operations, temporarily halting runway 27L landings and drawing attention on social media and flight tracking platforms. The incident underscores the importance of rigorous aircraft maintenance and emergency preparedness, as well as the professionalism of flight crews and ground teams in handling in-flight technical difficulties safely.

British Airways and Heathrow Airport have not released detailed statements yet but confirmed the safe landing and ongoing investigation into the nose gear servo malfunction. Passengers on board were reported safe, and the aircraft is undergoing technical assessment to determine the cause and necessary repairs. This event adds to a series of operational challenges faced by the airline in recent months, highlighting the critical role of safety protocols in commercial aviation.

In the early hours of July 5, Palma de Mallorca Airport became the scene of panic and confusion when a Ryanair Boeing 737, moments from departure to Manchester, was abruptly evacuated following a fire alert. The incident left eighteen passengers injured, with dramatic footage capturing travelers scrambling onto the aircraft’s wing and leaping to the tarmac below.

The ordeal began just after midnight as the Ryanair flight, still grounded at Palma Airport, prepared for takeoff. Suddenly, a fire warning light triggered an emergency call from the cockpit. Within minutes, airport firefighters, police, and four ambulances two basic and two advanced life support units were dispatched to the scene.

Passengers, gripped by fear, bypassed standard evacuation procedures. Many ignored the inflatable slides and instead climbed out emergency exits onto the wing, jumping to the ground in a rush to escape. Social media videos show the chaos: passengers sprinting across the tarmac, some injured from the fall, while an airport worker can be heard urging others to use the proper exits.

Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of utter carnage, with people falling over each other in the scramble to exit. One passenger recounted, “You could see people just jumping off of the wings... People were covered in scratches. It was proper terrifying.”

Eighteen people required medical attention for injuries ranging from sprains to fractures, with six transported to local hospitals—Clinica Rotger and Palmaplanas Hospital. Despite the panic, there were no reports of severe burns or life-threatening injuries, suggesting the fire was either quickly contained or, as later confirmed, did not actually exist.

Ryanair later clarified that the emergency was triggered by a false fire warning light. The crew, following protocol, initiated an immediate evacuation to ensure passenger safety. In a statement, the airline apologized for the disruption: “This flight from Palma to Manchester discontinued take-off due to a false fire warning light indication. Passengers were disembarked using the inflatable slides and returned to the terminal.”

Airport authorities and aviation safety officials have launched an investigation, reviewing flight logs, maintenance records, and the crew’s response. The exact cause of the false alarm remains under scrutiny.
To minimize further delays, Ryanair arranged a replacement aircraft, which departed Palma at 7:05 a.m. the same morning. Airport operations quickly returned to normal, and the airline reiterated its apology to affected passengers.

The incident at Palma de Mallorca Airport stands as a vivid reminder of the unpredictability of air travel emergencies and the importance of clear communication and calm during crisis. Thanks to the swift actions of emergency responders and airport staff, a night of chaos ended without serious harm, but for those on board, the memory of leaping from a plane wing into the darkness will not soon fade.

Abu Dhabi has achieved a major milestone in urban transportation by successfully conducting its first test flight of a flying taxi at Al Bateen Executive Airport, signaling the emirate’s rapid progress toward launching commercial air taxi services by early 2026. The test was carried out in partnership between US-based Archer Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), utilizing Archer’s fully electric, driverless Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.

This aircraft is designed to carry four passengers and a pilot, reach speeds up to 241 km/h, and cover distances of about 150 km, making it ideal for short urban commutes such as airport-to-downtown routes.

The test flight is part of a broader strategy to establish Abu Dhabi as a regional leader in advanced air mobility. The initiative extends beyond simply operating air taxis; it aims to develop a comprehensive aviation ecosystem.

This includes pilot training, maintenance and repair operations (MROs), talent development, and manufacturing, with plans for Archer to set up a production facility in Al Ain that could eventually export aircraft across the region. There are also collaborations with local universities to create specialized curricula and short diploma programs, ensuring a skilled workforce for the sector’s future needs.

The ongoing testing phase will continue through the harsh UAE summer, focusing on the aircraft’s performance in extreme heat, humidity, and dust—conditions critical for ensuring reliability and safety in the local environment. According to officials, the tests are structured not just for demonstration but for commercial readiness, with the goal of integrating the air taxi service seamlessly into Abu Dhabi’s transportation infrastructure.

The project also includes the development of vertiports, with the first dual-use heliport expected to be operational at Mina Zayed Cruise Terminal by the end of 2025, close to major city landmarks. When commercial operations begin, customers will be able to book rides via a smartphone app, similar to current ride-hailing services, with pricing anticipated to be competitive with premium ride-sharing options—previous estimates suggest inner-city trips could cost around Dh300 to Dh350.

Archer Aviation and Abu Dhabi authorities emphasize that the service is intended for the general public, not just luxury travelers, and as the network expands, costs are expected to decrease, making flying taxis a practical daily transport option. Manufacturing is set to begin in 2027, with ambitions to export the technology regionally. This achievement places Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the global race to deploy sustainable, efficient, and futuristic urban air mobility solutions

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) is advancing a comprehensive infrastructure development program to expand and modernize the country’s aviation network, focusing on new airports in Mirpur (Azad Kashmir), Dera Ismail Khan, and Hyderabad, alongside the reconstruction and expansion of Sukkur Airport. These projects aim to enhance regional connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and address long-standing accessibility challenges in underserved areas.

The feasibility report for the Mirpur Airport is in its final stages, signaling imminent progress on this key project that will improve air travel options for Azad Kashmir. In Dera Ismail Khan, land acquisition is actively underway, with authorities emphasizing that the new airport will resolve persistent connectivity issues affecting southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighboring regions. The strategic location of Sukkur Airport has prompted plans for its reconstruction and the development of a new terminal, intended to transform it into a regional aviation hub serving northern Sindh and adjacent areas.

At Hyderabad Airport, the government has directed the Pakistan Airports Authority to initiate commercial flight operations. In parallel, plans are moving forward to establish an aviation training school at Hyderabad, designed to boost technical education and professional skills development within the aviation sector, supporting workforce capacity building.

These infrastructure initiatives are part of a broader modernization effort by the PAA, which also includes the recent launch of an e-gates implementation project at major international airports in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. This project, expected to be completed within 24 months, will introduce automated passenger processing systems aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, enhancing security and passenger experience.

Additionally, approvals have been granted for the construction of two new international airports in Sukkur and Muzaffarabad, with land acquisition and development activities underway. These airports are projected to be completed within five years, representing a significant investment in Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure.

The PAA’s ongoing runway upgrades, such as the 53% completion of the Runway 07L/25R upgrade at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport as of May 2025, further demonstrate the authority’s commitment to enhancing airport capacity and safety.

Collectively, these projects reflect Pakistan’s strategic vision to modernize its aviation facilities, improve regional and international connectivity, foster economic development, and create employment opportunities in underdeveloped regions. The involvement of international consultants and adherence to global standards underscore the commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure and services.

For the first time in years, UAE residents can enjoy affordable last-minute summer getaways, with airfares dropping to their lowest levels since before the pandemic. Traditionally, July and August see a surge in ticket prices, but this year, connecting economy flights from Dubai to London are available for as little as Dh1,300—a significant decrease from last year’s Dh2,500 for similar routes.

Travellers departing from Abu Dhabi are finding even better deals. For example, flights to Mumbai are currently listed at Dh708 for travel between July 15 and 31, making Abu Dhabi an attractive starting point for budget-conscious holidaymakers.

“We are seeing a much more manageable increase in airfares this July,” said Rashid Abbas, Managing Director at Arooha Travels. “Some fares to CIS and Indian destinations have dropped to between Dh610 and Dh800. These prices are certainly more attractive than what travellers have had to contend with in the last couple of years.”

Are these the lowest fares since 2020? According to Abbas, “Yes and no. While some destinations are seeing dramatic drops, others especially certain European cities still command higher prices, between Dh2,500 and Dh3,800 for last-minute bookings. However, these are still well below the peaks of 2022, when airfares soared to unprecedented levels.”

Direct flights to major European cities such as London, Stockholm, Lisbon, and Barcelona remain in the Dh2,500–Dh3,000 range. Yet, budget carriers are offering competitive alternatives; for example, Dubai to Paris on a low-cost airline is available for Dh2,815, and flights to Berlin can be found for Dh1,860.

Here are some of the best last-minute deals for travel between July 15 and 31:

From Dubai:

• Dubai to Tbilisi on flydubai: Dh1,300
• Dubai to Istanbul on AJet: Dh653
• Dubai to Chisinau, Moldova on Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: Dh538
• Dubai to Cairo on Air Arabia Express: Dh1,430
• Dubai to New York on United Airlines: Dh2,945

From Abu Dhabi:

• Abu Dhabi to Yerevan on Etihad: Dh618
• Abu Dhabi to Manama on Etihad: Dh415
• Abu Dhabi to Muscat on Etihad: Dh485
• Abu Dhabi to Istanbul on Etihad: Dh1,006
• Abu Dhabi to Athens on Etihad: Dh1,635

From Sharjah:

• Sharjah to Istanbul on AJet: Dh706
• Sharjah to Doha on Qatar Airways: Dh755
• Sharjah to Tbilisi on Air Arabia: Dh1,432

From Ras Al Khaimah:

• RAK to Mumbai on IndiGo: Dh742
• RAK to Istanbul on AJet: Dh653

Travel agents attribute the drop in fares to changing travel habits among UAE residents. “Couples and singles often travel home during off-peak months to save on fares,” said Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing at Pluto Travels. She noted a trend toward shorter trips, typically lasting one to two weeks, rather than extended summer holidays. Many are also exploring destinations closer to the UAE, such as Azerbaijan or Schengen countries, and Africa is gaining popularity.

Corporate leave policies also play a role, with most employees preferring to split their travel into multiple shorter trips throughout the year. Dubai residents usually return by early August and then plan additional holidays for winter or Diwali, breaking up their summer travel.

With schools closed and temperatures soaring, residents are encouraged to keep up with the latest events, deals, and safety tips through Summer Vibes in collaboration with Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS). There’s plenty happening across the Emirates this July and August, making it easier than ever to plan a memorable and affordable summer.