Saudi Arabia has added two more cities to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, with Riyadh recognized for design and Madinah honored for gastronomy, marking another milestone in the Kingdom’s cultural transformation journey.

The announcement was made by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan following UNESCO’s approval of the 2025 evaluation results.

The inclusion underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid rise as a creative powerhouse, now boasting five cities in the global network that celebrates urban centers championing creativity as a tool for sustainable development.

Riyadh: A Regional Design Powerhouse

Riyadh’s selection highlights its growing role as a hub for architecture, urban innovation, and digital and industrial design. The nomination led by the Architecture and Design Commission alongside academia, government agencies, and private-sector partners reflects the capital’s commitment to building a vibrant creative ecosystem.

Dr. Sumaya Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, called the recognition “a historic step” and a testament to national efforts to empower creative talent, drive innovation, and elevate Riyadh’s global standing. The capital’s selection aligns with major urban development initiatives and Vision 2030 projects reshaping the city’s cultural and design identity.

Madinah: A Global Gastronomy Destination

Madinah joins the UNESCO Gastronomy category, becoming the second Saudi city recognized for culinary arts after Buraidah. Known for its fertile agricultural lands, unique produce, and centuries-old culinary traditions, Madinah’s nomination was championed by the Culinary Arts Commission and local partners.

The city has been investing in culinary tourism, traditional recipe preservation, and food innovation, including Souq Al-Tabbakhah Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated culinary market supporting chefs, entrepreneurs, and sustainable food practices.

Expanding Saudi Creative Representation

With the latest additions, Saudi Arabia now has five cities in UNESCO’s global network: Al-Ahsa (crafts & folk art), Buraidah (gastronomy), Taif (literature), Riyadh (design), and Madinah (gastronomy). The network brings together 350 cities across more than 100 countries, fostering cultural exchange and creative-driven urban development.

The recognition further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s cultural diplomacy and supports Vision 2030 goals to grow creative industries, promote innovation, and enhance global cultural engagement.

Spain has prohibited United States military aircraft involved in the ongoing Iran conflict from using its airspace, a move that highlights growing friction between Washington and European allies.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed that neither Spanish military bases nor national airspace would be available for operations connected to the war. She described the conflict, initiated by the US and Israel about a month ago, as both “illegal” and “unjust,” reaffirming Madrid’s firm opposition.

The decision reinforces Spain’s position as one of Europe’s most vocal critics of the conflict and is expected to further strain relations with the administration of Donald Trump. Trump had earlier warned of a potential full trade embargo against Spain in response to its stance.

Spanish officials had already indicated that jointly operated US-Spain military bases would not be used in the campaign. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the latest restriction aims to avoid contributing to any escalation.

Meanwhile, the White House suggested on Monday that the conflict could conclude within two weeks, provided Iran agrees to negotiations, warning that failure to do so would result in serious consequences.

Source: The Telegraph

Airlines across the globe are cancelling thousands of flights as the ongoing conflict in Iran pushes jet fuel prices to unprecedented levels, intensifying pressure on the aviation sector.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that nearly one in every 20 scheduled flights was cancelled on Monday. This represents a sharp increase compared with the same period last year, reflecting growing strain on airline operations.

The surge in cancellations follows a dramatic rise in fuel costs. Jet fuel prices, which stood at $742 per metric tonne a year ago, have climbed beyond $1,710. The escalation is largely linked to supply disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil.

Crude oil markets have also reacted strongly, with Brent crude prices reaching as high as $116 per barrel during early trading on Monday. Analysts warn that refining jet fuel requires more crude oil than petrol or diesel, amplifying the impact of supply constraints on aviation fuel availability.

Concerns are now shifting from price increases to potential shortages. According to a report by the Financial Times, the United Kingdom is expected to receive its final known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East this week.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras cautioned that multiple markets could face severe fuel shortages within days, including major European airport hubs. He indicated that some airports have begun advising airlines to prepare for scenarios where fuel may not be available.

The disruption is not confined to Europe. Airlines across Asia, Africa, and South America are implementing contingency plans, including additional refuelling stops, as the supply situation deteriorates.

Several carriers have already announced capacity reductions. Air New Zealand has cut 1,100 flights through early May, while Scandinavian airline group SAS plans to cancel 1,000 flights next month, primarily affecting domestic routes.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines has warned it may reduce monthly flights by 10 to 20 percent next quarter if jet fuel prices reach between $160 and $200 per barrel. This could impact up to 18 percent of its international services and more than a quarter of its domestic operations.

In the United States, United Airlines has already reduced capacity by approximately 5 percent on less profitable routes, becoming the first major US carrier to take such measures in response to rising fuel costs.

Chief executive Scott Kirby said sustained high oil prices could increase the airline’s expenses by $11 billion, potentially forcing ticket prices to rise by around 20 percent to maintain profitability. He noted that fares have already increased by 15 to 20 percent in recent weeks, warning that higher prices are likely to dampen travel demand.

Kirby added that in a worst-case scenario, oil prices could climb to $175 per barrel and remain above $100 through 2027.

Beyond fuel-related challenges, the conflict has also disrupted travel across the Middle East. Major European carriers, including British Airways, Air France-KLM, and Lufthansa, have suspended multiple routes to and from the region.

Cirium data indicates that approximately 7,049 out of 104,618 scheduled flights—around 7 percent—were cancelled globally on Monday. By comparison, 4,797 out of 102,132 flights, or 4.7 percent, were cancelled on the same day last year.

The impact has been particularly severe in North America, where cancellations reached 14.6 percent of departing flights, significantly higher than the 4.4 percent recorded a year earlier.

Source: The Telegraph

Airfares from the United Arab Emirates have increased significantly in recent weeks, with travel agencies reporting average rises of 15 to 25 per cent. The surge is being linked to reduced flight schedules by regional carriers, a decline in international airline operations on key routes, and mounting operational expenses such as fuel and insurance.

Industry professionals say the price increase, while noticeable, has not dampened overall travel demand. Instead, it has led to changes in how passengers plan their journeys. Imtiaz Hussain Nasir, chief executive of Pinoy Tourism, noted that travellers are now more price-conscious, often comparing options carefully and booking earlier to avoid further increases. Flexibility with travel dates and routes has also become more common.

Recent travel disruptions have played a role in shaping demand patterns. Many passengers postponed trips rather than cancelling them, leading to a rebound in bookings as services resumed. This combination of delayed and new demand has placed additional pressure on available seats, contributing to higher fares.

Rashida Zahid, vice president of operations at musafir.com, said travellers are increasingly adopting strategic booking habits. According to her, most passengers now secure tickets around eight to ten days before departure, as prices tend to rise sharply within the final few days. While direct flights remain the preferred choice, more travellers are opting for indirect routes when the cost savings are substantial.

The limited presence of international carriers is another factor influencing prices. Rino Steephen, sales manager and partner at Azzam Travel and Tourism, explained that a large share of current flights is being operated by UAE-based airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Air India. Reduced competition, he said, is contributing to higher ticket costs.

Popular outbound destinations from the UAE include India, the Philippines, several African nations, Turkey, Thailand, Georgia, Armenia, Malaysia, Singapore, and major European cities such as London, Paris, Milan, and Barcelona.

Flight availability continues to play a critical role in pricing. With fewer direct options, many travellers are choosing longer, indirect journeys, sometimes at higher overall costs, to reach their destinations while managing budgets.

Experts also point to broader global pressures affecting the aviation sector, including rising fuel prices, increased insurance premiums, and operational risks. These factors are feeding into ticket pricing worldwide.

Despite higher fares, booking patterns vary depending on urgency. Some passengers continue to book immediately due to pressing travel needs, while others plan weeks in advance to secure more favourable rates. Airlines, meanwhile, are offering greater flexibility in ticket changes and cancellations to accommodate shifting travel plans.

Looking ahead, industry observers expect demand to remain strong. Nasir said travel activity is likely to recover steadily as operations stabilise, although fares may stay elevated on high-demand routes with limited capacity. Steephen added that while UAE carriers are operating without seat restrictions, the absence of more international airlines continues to shape pricing trends. Any easing of fares, he noted, will depend on how conditions evolve in the coming weeks.

Source: Khaleej Times

Qatar Airways has announced temporary delays in handling customer service requests, including refunds, citing a significant rise in demand. The airline said response and processing times may be longer than usual, while teams continue to work continuously to address all pending cases.

Under updated guidance, passengers holding confirmed bookings for travel between 28 February and 15 June 2026 are eligible to request either a full refund or a change of travel dates.

For customers with cancelled bookings, the airline clarified that if a booking cannot be retrieved through its system, it is likely already undergoing refund processing, and no further action is required. However, if the booking remains accessible, passengers may apply for a full refund or modify their travel dates. Any additional services purchased alongside tickets will be refunded separately after the main ticket refund is completed.

Passengers who still intend to travel can reschedule their journeys on Qatar Airways-operated flights up to 31 October 2026, subject to seat availability and fare conditions.

The airline noted that refunds will be issued to the original form of payment and may take up to 28 working days to complete. Customers can monitor the progress of their refund requests through the airline’s online tracking system.

For tickets booked through travel agents or third-party platforms, passengers have been advised to contact their original point of purchase to initiate refund requests.

Qatar Airways also directed customers to its official website for further assistance and updated information, including frequently asked questions.

Wars in the Middle East, including a month-long conflict in Iran, are putting increasing pressure on aviation safety by constraining flight corridors and expanding drone activity, according to Florian Guillermet, executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The Iran conflict has already reshaped regional airspace, disrupting flights between Asia and Europe that previously relied on overflights in the area. Combined with ongoing tensions from the Russia-Ukraine war and clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, airlines are now navigating narrower corridors, particularly over Azerbaijan and Central Asia.

“Concentrating traffic on certain routes, along with limited airspace availability for air traffic control, increases safety risks,” Guillermet told Reuters. The remarks mark the first detailed comments from Europe’s aviation regulator since the outbreak of the Iran conflict in late February.

Airlines face heightened risks from missiles and drones, prompting some unavoidable airspace closures and flight restrictions. Guillermet, who formerly led France’s air traffic control system, emphasized that while these measures disrupt passengers, they remain critical for maintaining manageable traffic density.

EASA, representing 31 European countries, is currently reviewing its aviation strategy to address rising hazards affecting one of the safest modes of transport. These include GPS interference, drone threats, and operational challenges such as unstable approaches and runway incidents. On Friday, the agency renewed its advisory for airlines to avoid airspace over Iran, Israel, and parts of the Gulf until April 10.

Counter-Drone Measures and Hybrid Threats

The agency is also drafting clearer guidance on countering rogue drone activity targeting civil airports. European airports have seen increased incidents linked to “hybrid warfare,” a combination of military operations, cyberattacks, and other disruptions. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, drones have played a prominent role in regional conflicts, causing disruptions at airports from Stockholm to Munich.

“We are facing a very different landscape today,” Guillermet said from EASA’s Cologne headquarters. “The situation we face right now is more of a hybrid warfare environment.”

EASA is evaluating technical standards for devices operating near airports and may introduce mandatory requirements to define the permissible powers in counter-drone operations, aiming to strengthen the safety framework around vulnerable airspace.

Source: Reuters