travel

Riyadh–Doha Rail to Slash Travel Time, Create Jobs

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a formal agreement to launch a new high-speed electric rail project connecting Riyadh and Doha, a development expected to reshape economic and logistical integration across the region, Al Ekhbariya TV reported.

The project is considered one of the most significant modern infrastructure undertakings between two Gulf nations, and envisaged as a major artery for high-speed travel.

It is slated for completion within six years. Once operational, the railway is expected to reduce the journey between the two capitals to roughly two hours, with trains travelling at more than 300 kilometres per hour.

Stretching 785 kilometres, the network is projected to carry more than 10 million passengers annually, with officials predicting a profound impact on the movement of people, tourism, and trade.

Beyond linking Doha and Riyadh directly, the line will extend across three key Saudi cities, Riyadh, Hofuf and Dammam, strengthening both domestic and cross-border connectivity.

The route will also connect two of the region’s most important airports: King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and Hamad International Airport in Doha, offering travellers and investors faster and more flexible access to major business and aviation hubs.

The network will feature five primary passenger stations built along the corridor, each designed to deliver a modern, seamless travel experience combining comfort, speed and smart-transport technologies.

The project will mark a turning point in mobility between the two countries, moving beyond conventional transport routes and raising overall quality of life by facilitating smoother movement, supporting tourism, and enabling major sporting and entertainment events.

The project is expected to generate around 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in both Saudi Arabia and Qatar throughout the construction and operational phases, making it one of the region’s most significant labour-market catalysts.

It is also set to boost the transport of light and medium goods, strengthen cross-border supply-chain logistics, and increase bilateral trade by cutting delivery times and reducing operational costs.

In a joint statement, the two governments stressed their commitment to enhancing supply-chain cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, and to expanding and diversifying trade exchanges, aligning closely with the objectives of the new railway initiative.

Story by Gulf News

travel

Top 10 countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection

While thousands of UAE residents are currently scrambling to lock in travel plans ahead of the upcoming two-month school summer holiday, a smooth European getaway is far from a guarantee. In fact, choosing the wrong diplomatic mission right now could completely derail your vacation before it even begins.

The latest visa statistics from the European Commission reveal a stark reality for local holidaymakers: while some European nations welcome travellers with open arms, including giving them multiple-entry Schengen visas, a select group of consulates inside the UAE are proving to be major brick walls.

Surge in applications

Globally, the EU and Schengen-associated consulates received nearly 12 million applications for short-stay visas in 2025, a 1.8 percent increase from 2024 (11.7 million) and a 15.5 percent rise from 2023 (10.3 million). However, overall demand remained well below the 17 million applications recorded in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

10 million visas

Over 10 million visas were issued globally in 2025, a 3 percent increase from 2024 (9.7 million). While the global refusal rate held steady at 14.8 percent, rejection rates inside the UAE tell a wildly different story for certain destinations, with several consulates turning away more than a third — and in some cases, over half — of all local applicants.

Highest rejection rates

Data reveals that Bulgaria is statistically the hardest Schengen visa to secure in the UAE. The country maintains a staggering official rejection rate of 58.2 percent, turning away 2,473 applicants out of 4,494 requests.

Luxembourg follows closely as the second-hardest destination, with a 48.5 percent rejection rate, meaning nearly one out of every two UAE applicants is denied. Estonia takes the third spot with a refusal rate of 46.4 percent across its 468 applications.

The high-volume traps

While smaller European states often see high percentages due to lower application volumes, several massive, mainstream holiday destinations in the UAE are operating as major rejection traps for unsuspecting holidaymakers.

Malta rejected 45.9 percent of its 7,079 applicants in the UAE, while Croatia denied 42.6 percent of the 2,092 people who applied. Meanwhile, Nordic favourite Sweden maintained a strict barrier, rejecting 40.7 percent of its 6,312 local applicants.

Popular Eastern European hub Hungary crossed the 10,000-application milestone in the UAE but proved to be highly exclusive, turning down 35.2 percent (3,636 applicants) of its total pool. Poland also sits high on the refusal leaderboard at 32.5 percent.

Rounding out the top 10 hardest states are Denmark and Slovakia. Denmark processed a massive 17,288 applications from the UAE but handed out rejections to 31.8 percent of them, while Slovakia refused 31.5 percent of its 1,110 applicants.

Smart travel strategy

The data indicates that instead of gambling on boutique destinations or strict Nordic states, smart UAE travellers should anchor their summer holiday itineraries with diplomatic heavyweights like Spain, France, or Germany, all of which boast significantly higher pure approval rates locally.

Gulf news

travel

Saudi Arabia bans in-flight power bank charging

operating at the Kingdom’s airports, updating regulations governing the carriage of portable chargers, commonly known as power banks, and other electronic devices onboard aircraft.

The authority announced the updated rules on social media, saying the measures are aimed at enhancing aviation safety and aligning with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Charging power banks onboard banned

Under the new regulations, passengers and cabin crew are prohibited from recharging portable power banks during flights.

The authority said the measures are intended to strengthen aviation safety and security across all flights operating in the Kingdom.

Power banks allowed only in cabin baggage

The updated rules also state that power banks must be carried only in hand luggage inside the aircraft cabin and are strictly prohibited in checked baggage.

Passengers will be allowed to carry a maximum of two portable chargers each onboard.

As an added precautionary measure, the authority further recommended avoiding the use of power banks to charge electronic devices during flights.

travel

UAE restores normal air traffic operations

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced that air traffic in the UAE’s airspace has returned to normal operations, with temporary precautionary measures lifted.

The authority said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions, carried out in coordination with relevant entities. It stressed that real-time monitoring will continue to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety.

The GCAA also expressed its appreciation for the cooperation of passengers and airlines during the recent period, reaffirming the readiness of its technical and operational teams to respond to any potential developments.

It urged the public to rely on official sources for information.