Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is adding flights to seven more destinations from the UAE.
The low-cost airline is launching flights to Muscat, Almaty in Kazakhstan and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will also begin flying from Abu Dhabi to Sohag in Egypt, Odessa in Ukraine, Baku in Azerbaijan and to Kutaisi in Georgia.
The move brings the UAE's newest airline to full capacity after travel restrictions were eased in Abu Dhabi.
Starting this week, the airline adds Sarajevo and Odessa to its network, with two flights per week to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ukrainian port city, respectively.
Then, from Sunday, October 31, the airline will commence flights to Muscat from Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air will operate three flights a week to the Omani capital, with fares from only Dh109, giving travellers another affordable option for a short break to the sultanate.
In December, Almaty, Sohag, Baku and Kutaisi will join the Wizz Air network. Tickets are already on sale for all seven destinations.
Wizz Air Hungary to move Dubai flights to Abu Dhabi
Wizz Air Hungary will also start flying to Abu Dhabi from April next year.
The airline is launching flights to Dubai from Catania in Italy, Katowice in Poland and Cluj-Napoca, one of Romania's largest cities, this week.
From next year, Wizz Air Hungary flights destined for the UAE will move from Dubai and instead fly to the capital.
“Wizz Air Abu Dhabi continues to demonstrate the popularity of its services by adding more routes to its network as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the world and notably in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The UAE residents are itching for the chance to enjoy world-class culture and entertainment destinations,” said Kees Van Schaick, managing director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.
“Our network from Abu Dhabi will expand rapidly as travel restrictions ease up, getting a significant boost when Wizz Air Hungary will start operating its flights to Abu Dhabi as of April 2022."
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi also plans to add another aircraft to its fleet. The fourth A321neo will join the budget airline in the UAE by the end of this year. This will allow more flights to be added to the network, with plans in place for services to Alexandria, Belgrade, Kiev and Tirana.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
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Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Results
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3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
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5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
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2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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December 2024
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August 2025
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October 2025
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Torque: 500Nm
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The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
