Flydubai will operate daily shuttle services between Doha and Dubai for the duration of the Fifa World Cup. Photo: flydubai
Flydubai will operate daily shuttle services between Doha and Dubai for the duration of the Fifa World Cup. Photo: flydubai
Flydubai will operate daily shuttle services between Doha and Dubai for the duration of the Fifa World Cup. Photo: flydubai
Flydubai will operate daily shuttle services between Doha and Dubai for the duration of the Fifa World Cup. Photo: flydubai

Flydubai to operate up to 30 shuttle flights a day to Doha during Fifa World Cup


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

Flydubai’s Match Day Shuttle flights, allowing Fifa World Cup ticket holders to easily travel between Dubai and Doha, are now available to book on the airline’s website.

Offered in partnership with Qatar Airways and other GCC carriers, up to 30 return flights per day will operate between Dubai and Doha over the course of the sporting event, which takes place from November 21 to December 18.

Return Match Day Shuttle flights will be available from $258 for economy and from $998 for business class. Fares include a hand baggage allowance, an on-board snack and complimentary ground transportation between the airport and stadiums in Doha.

Only passengers holding match day passes are eligible to buy tickets for these flights. For passengers without, flydubai’s scheduled flights between Dubai International and Hamad International Airport will continue to run during this period.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy. AFP
The FIFA World Cup Trophy. AFP

“We are pleased to partner with Qatar Airways and the other partner GCC national carriers to facilitate travel during the upcoming football tournament,” says Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive, flydubai.

“By coming together, we are able to offer football fans from around the world the opportunity to experience the warm hospitality and rich culture of our region as they explore the sights and sounds of two countries.

“We are honoured to enter into this partnership, which will enable more people to travel between Dubai and Qatar to share in their love for football as this sporting event comes to the Middle East and Arab World for the first time.”

Flights will depart from Dubai World Central (DWC) and are not available to book as part of a connecting itinerary. They will operate on the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Passengers are advised to select a flight that arrives in Doha at least four hours before the match kick-off time. In addition, they should register for their Hayya card in advance of their flight, as this will be required for travel on all Match Day Shuttle flights and for entry into Qatar.

UAE national team arrive in Doha ahead of crucial World Cup play-off — in pictures

  • UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia. All photos: UAE FA
    UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia. All photos: UAE FA
  • UAE players Ali Mabkhout, right, and Majed Hassan arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
    UAE players Ali Mabkhout, right, and Majed Hassan arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
  • UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
    UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
  • UAE players Khalil Ibrahim, left, and Mohammed Al Shamsi arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
    UAE players Khalil Ibrahim, left, and Mohammed Al Shamsi arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
  • UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
    UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
  • UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
    UAE players arrive in Doha ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off against Australia.
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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Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

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Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

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Updated: June 01, 2022, 7:17 AM