AVIATION-

#1- MBRAH expands to meet rising aviation demand: Dubai South’s aerospace platform Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) has launched Sky Support Complex, a 179.3k sq ft landside facility in its aerospace supply chain zone, according to Dubai Media Office. Adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport, the complex hosts 14 premium units with flexible warehouse, office, and commercial spaces offering complete foreign ownership, bonded freezone benefits, and direct connectivity to Dubai South’s aviation ecosystem.

REMEMBER- MBRAH launched the first phase of its aerospace supply chain zone in April. The zone’s first phase — spanning over 1.29 mn sqm — features 11 separate facilities tailored to support engine shops, solution workshops, and component and landing gear maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

More to come: A second phase — currently under development, with completion scheduled in 2Q 2026 — will add a further 1.72 mn sqm and include the region’s first vertical aerospace complex, the Suppliers Complex.

#2- Red Sea International Airport began a phased operational launch, now receiving both domestic and international flights, according to a press release. Domestic flights were shifted to the new Main Terminal Building, while international flights and seaplanes continue to operate from the Air Taxi Terminal.

IN CONTEXT- Operated by daa International and developed by Red Sea Global, the airport is part of the Red Sea megaproject. The main terminal is set for full operation by the end of 2025, targeting a capacity of 1 mn passengers annually by 2030.

#3- International Human Resources expanded into tech and aviation as it seeks to meet rising demand for AI, cybersecurity, and data science skills, CEO Ali Al Harbi told Al Arabiya yesterday (watch, runtime: 5:23). The company is focusing on the growing retail and e-commerce markets, which include 4-5 mn online stores needing recruitment, call center support, and training.

MEANWHILE- The company has fulfilled the requirements to move from the parallel market Nomu to Tadawul’s main market except liquidity standards, which Al Harbi expects to resolve soon to complete the transition.

RAIL-

Iran + Turkmenistan could expand railway connection: Iran is in talks with Turkmenistan to add two new rail lines at Iran’s northeastern Sarakhs railway, near the two countries’ shared border, Mehr News reports. The aim is to reduce cargo traffic at the border and increase the number of cross-border rail links.

Iran is pursuing several rail projects in a bid to become a Eurasian transit hub:

  • It earmarked USD 1.2 bn in May for the new phase of the Tehran-Aprin rail terminal and dry port connecting China, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan;
  • Later in July, it awarded a contract to the China State Railway Group to electrify around 1k km of railway from the Sarakhs border to the western Razi border to increase China’s container cargo transit through Iran;
  • It also inked a strategic cooperation plan with Azerbaijan in January to build and operate the Astara rail cargo terminal on their shared border, as part of the International North-South Transport Corridor connecting Russia, India, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
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