Singapore Customs collected S$12.1 billion in Goods and Services Tax (GST) and customs and excise duties in 2025 — an increase of S$400 million from the previous year, according to figures released in conjunction with International Customs Day.

Of the total sum, S$8.9 billion came from GST while S$3.2 billion was derived from customs and excise duties. The agency noted that these revenues play a crucial role in funding essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.

The agency reported a sharp increase in enforcement cases last year, attributing the trend to stronger multi-agency efforts to curb tax evasion and other illicit trade.

Tobacco-related offences climbed by 50%, reaching 30,371 cases in 2025, compared with 20,131 in 2024. Liquor-related cases also rose to 4,266 from 3,384 the previous year.

More strikingly, GST-related offences surged by over 80%, from 5,447 to 9,940 cases. Singapore Customs said the intensified enforcement helped prevent significant revenue loss and ensured fair competition among compliant businesses.

One major case involved under-declared vehicle imports. Investigations revealed that about 260 vehicles imported between June 2023 and April 2025 were undervalued, leading to more than S$1 million in unpaid taxes and duties.

Changes in duty collections reflected evolving consumption and economic patterns. Motor vehicle duties grew from S$370.6 million to S$405.8 million, while tobacco duties remained steady at S$1.1 billion. Liquor duties slipped from S$775.9 million to S$742.1 million, and petroleum, diesel, and CNG duties edged down from S$992 million to S$976.7 million.

The stability in tobacco revenue, despite intensified enforcement, suggested consistent consumption levels amid sustained tax rates.

2025 marked a major step forward in the agency’s digital transformation. The launch of the Data Analytics and AI System (DAISY) improved risk detection and operational precision by integrating more than 80 data tables and supporting 200 users across 14 applications.

The use of AI has cut manual processing times from 20 minutes to under two minutes, streamlined document reviews, and unified previously fragmented datasets.

Other key digital initiatives included:

• AI-assisted processing for vehicle import documents, saving an estimated 2,100 hours annually.

• Digital investigation workflows replacing 58 manual templates, cutting case-handling time by around two hours per case.

• Self-service kiosks at checkpoints, which reduced in-person transactions from 42% to 7.5%, recording nearly 25,000 uses in 2025.

Singapore Customs also expanded its international enforcement reach through intelligence-sharing efforts that helped seize 96 million illicit cigarettes across Australia, Hong Kong SAR, the UK, and the US.

During International Customs Day celebrations, eight officers received the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit in recognition of their contributions to digital innovation and enforcement excellence.

Director-General Tan Hung Hooi reaffirmed the agency’s mission to protect revenue, enable trade, and safeguard society amid an evolving global trade environment.

“By combining firm enforcement, smart facilitation, and purposeful digital transformation, Singapore Customs remains committed to supporting Singapore’s economy and the people it serves,” he said during his keynote address.

The agency plans to further integrate AI capabilities into its operations, deepen risk-based monitoring frameworks, and strengthen collaboration with domestic and international partners to stay ahead of emerging threats in global trade.

Al Alamein International Airport has recorded strong growth in passenger activity this year, with traveller numbers rising by 57% compared with the same period in 2025, as Egypt advances preparations for the second edition of the Egypt International Air Show (EIAS 2026) scheduled for September.

According to Egypt’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), the increase highlights the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen its civil aviation sector through infrastructure upgrades and expanded airport capacity aimed at meeting growing tourism, business and investment demand.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is continuing development projects at Al Alamein International Airport as part of a broader strategy to establish New Alamein City as a major hub for tourism, commerce and international events. The airport is being enhanced to manage higher passenger volumes and support the successful hosting of the upcoming aviation and aerospace exhibition.

EIAS 2026 is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the Egyptian Air Force and the Egyptian Space Agency.

The IDSC said the event is expected to further elevate Egypt’s profile within the global aviation and aerospace sectors while encouraging investment, fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating the exchange of advanced technologies.

Official data showed that passenger traffic at Al Alamein International Airport reached 266,600 travellers in 2026, compared with 169,500 during the corresponding period of 2025. Aircraft movements also increased significantly, rising by approximately 26% to 3,190 flights from 2,540 flights a year earlier.

The airport currently hosts operations from 15 airlines, including Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Air Cairo and Saudia. Its international network has expanded further during the 2026 summer season with the arrival of new carriers such as Romania’s TAROM, Poland’s Enter Air, Bulgaria’s BH Air and Gulf Air.

Authorities expect the number of airlines serving the airport to grow to 26 by the end of the summer season, reflecting rising international interest in Egypt’s North Coast and the growing importance of New Alamein as a destination for tourism, investment and major global events.

Source: Daily News Egypt

Abha International Airport has reached a new operational benchmark after processing more than 130 flights in a single day, setting a record for the highest daily traffic volume in the airport’s history.

The milestone was achieved on July 5, when the airport, managed by Cluster2 Airports, handled a total of 132 flights. The day's operations included 117 domestic services and 15 international flights.

According to Cluster2 Airports, the increase reflects strong travel demand during the summer season, supported by efficient airport operations and a rise in visitor arrivals. The operator noted that the Asir region’s seasonal events, scenic landscapes and cultural attractions have contributed significantly to growing passenger numbers.

The airport operator said the achievement aligns with the goals of the Aviation Programme under Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The initiative is focused on increasing airport capacity, improving passenger experience and raising operational efficiency across the Kingdom’s aviation network.

The latest record highlights the continued growth of air travel in southern Saudi Arabia as authorities work to strengthen the country's aviation infrastructure and tourism sector.

Source: TradeArabia

Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South has announced a major expansion by UUDS AERO, which has grown its operational footprint within the aviation hub to more than 180,000 square metres since launching its first facility there in 2022.

The expansion highlights the company's growing role in meeting regional and international demand for aircraft cabin completion, modification, certification, manufacturing and maintenance services. It also reinforces MBRAH’s appeal as a strategic base for aerospace companies seeking to expand within an integrated aviation ecosystem.

Since establishing operations at MBRAH, UUDS AERO has developed four facilities within the Aerospace Supply Chain zone. A fifth airside facility is currently under construction as part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy.

The company is also advancing plans to develop two additional Code F plots, which will support wide-body aircraft cabin completion and retrofit programmes. These developments will also pave the way for the region’s first Cabin Excellence Centre within the Airline Manufacturing and Supply Chain Zone.

The latest expansion reflects the continued growth of aerospace activity across MBRAH, supported by advanced infrastructure, strong connectivity, regulatory advantages and access to a broad network of aviation manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance providers and industry stakeholders.

Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer of MBRAH, said UUDS AERO’s rapid growth demonstrates the strength of the aerospace ecosystem being developed at Dubai South. He noted that MBRAH remains committed to supporting Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global aviation centre by providing businesses with the infrastructure and connectivity needed to expand and serve international markets.

Gilles Negre, Founder and Chairman of UUDS AERO, said the company’s expansion reflects its confidence in Dubai’s aviation industry and the opportunities available through its strategic location. He added that Dubai South has enabled UUDS AERO to strengthen its capabilities, broaden its customer base and enhance collaboration with aviation stakeholders worldwide.

Source: ZAWYA

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways have launched the Fast Pass biometric service, introducing facial recognition technology to streamline the passenger departure experience and reduce reliance on physical travel documents.

Developed in partnership with technology provider SITA, the system enables travellers to pass through key airport checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly presenting boarding passes or identification documents.

The rollout is among the largest biometric passenger initiatives in the Middle East and one of the most extensive globally, integrating more than 700 biometric touchpoints into a unified travel journey while incorporating security and data protection measures throughout the process.

Passengers can enrol in the Fast Pass programme through self-service check-in kiosks at Hamad International Airport or via the Qatar Airways mobile app. Once registered, they can access dedicated biometric lanes at check-in, baggage drop, security screening and boarding gates, using their face as their boarding credential.

The facial recognition process takes only a few seconds, helping to reduce waiting times and minimise document checks, particularly during peak travel periods. The service is voluntary, with conventional processing remaining available and airport staff on hand to assist passengers.

The introduction of Fast Pass comes as demand for biometric travel solutions continues to grow. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a majority of travellers now favour biometric identification over traditional paper documents.

As part of Hamad International Airport's wider Innovation Roadmap, the new system supports the airport's transition towards more efficient and digital passenger processing. Airport officials said the Fast Pass platform will be expanded to additional touchpoints over time, with plans to make the technology available to other airlines operating from HIA in the future.

Source: ZAWYA