LAST MILE-

The UAE has approved the first national license for self-driving vehicles to operate on its roads, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a statement. The license grants China-based self-driving research outfit WeRide the green light to conduct tests for self-driving vehicles on the UAE’s roadways. Dubai is angling to have 25% of all road trips automated by 2030 through a government-backed strategy that will see widespread adoption of self-driving solutions for transport and logistics.

AVIATION-

Qatar Airways Cargo has added two new Boeing 777 freighters to its cargo routes with Saudi Arabia, according to a company statement. The freighters, which will go to the Saudi city of Dammam, have a weekly tonnage capacity of 350 tonnes each way. The company has also rolled out a new freighter frequency to Riyadh, increasing the overall frequencies to five Boeing 777 freighters weekly, providing 850 tonnes of cargo capacity each round trip to Riyadh.

Can AI push the UAE’s aviation industry forward?Etihad Airways and Mohamed binZayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) have inked an agreement to develop initiatives and conduct research to enhance the UAE’s aviation sector through the use of AI, according to a statement by Abu Dhabi Media Office. The two organizations will hold seminars and workshops on utilizing AI in aviation, while providing educational chances for MBZUAI students, with a specific emphasis on enhancing their comprehension of the aviation sector and investigating how AI can be utilized to tackle the challenges it’s facing.

Flynas expands its fleet with two new A320neo aircraft: Saudi Airlines Flynas has received two A320neo aircraft at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, increasing its fleet size to 51 planes, according to a press release. The delivery is part of an agreement with Airbus to buy 30 new A320neo aircraft during the Paris Air Show. The airline’s board of directors in March agreed to expand new aircraft orders to 250 aircraft, which makes Flynas the largest low-cost carrier in the MENA region, the company said.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

  • Iran Airwill resume the services of seven planes that were grounded due to sanctions. (Press TV)
  • Emirates launched its first daily direct flight from Dubai to Montreal on Wednesday. (The National)
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