We have prepared a transport update on the UAE logistics market for July 2025.
As the global logistics landscape continues to evolve, the United Arab Emirates is reinforcing its role as a strategic transport and trade hub. Here's a closer look at the key updates that will shape freight and trade flows through the UAE in the coming months.
The situation with air freight in the Middle East was turbulent at the end of June. Some carriers cancelled flights, while others reduced commercial load due to extended flight times.
- As of now, all airline services have resumed.
- Charter cargo programs at Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky airports are operating without changes.
- During the flight cancellations, the market responded with increased rates to Russian airports, which are now returning to typical “summer” levels of approximately USD 4.50/kg for freighter flights and USD 3.00/kg for narrow-body passenger flights.
Airline updates
Saudia plans to launch direct flights to Moscow. Starting October 2025, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia will operate flights from Riyadh, three times per week.
Air Arabia has announced new direct flights between Sharjah and Prague, launching daily from December 20, 2025, aimed at enhancing tourism and trade links with Central Europe. The airline also added six weekly flights to Sochi, its sixth Russian destination, and resumes double daily flights to Damascus starting July 10.
Meanwhile, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is expanding into CIS markets, launching six weekly flights to Yerevan and three to Almaty. These new connections reflect growing cultural and economic ties between the UAE and CIS countries.
Emirates is boosting capacity on existing routes and retrofitting aircraft with updated interiors.
From October 26, Emirates will:
Starting February 1, 2026:
From October 26, Emirates will:
- Add a third daily flight to Milan (B777-300ER);
- Operate 2 daily flights to Shanghai served with Airbus A380 and a retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft;
- Operate daily flights to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires;
- Introduce A380 on the third Dubai–Singapore flight.
Starting February 1, 2026:
- The second Zurich service will also be upgraded to an A380.
Etihad Airways has issued its’ May statistics: the airline carried 1.7 million passengers in May, a 19% increase year-on-year. The average passenger load factor rose to 87%, with the airline now operating a fleet of 100 aircraft.
In June, Etihad began operating its A380 on daily Toronto flights, boosting capacity by 31%. The airline also launched direct flights to Warsaw earlier this summer.
In June, Etihad began operating its A380 on daily Toronto flights, boosting capacity by 31%. The airline also launched direct flights to Warsaw earlier this summer.
Virgin Australia made its Gulf debut in June, launching new direct services to Doha as part of its deepened partnership with Qatar Airways. Flights began from Sydney (June 12), Brisbane (June 19) and Perth (June 26).
Ethiopian Airlines also launched a new service to Sharjah on June 1 (four times weekly), aimed at boosting trade and cultural links between two countries. The carrier will begin flights from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi on July 15.
In return, Etihad Airways will start daily flights to Addis Ababa on October 1, further enhancing connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Against the backdrop of a general decline in cargo volumes, rates also showed a downward trend in May and June. However, given the recent situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a rate increase and adjustments to standard schedules are now possible. For now, carriers report that they have a contingency plan in place, with vessel calls redirected to the port of Khorfakkan. Still, we understand that such adjustments rarely make logistics seamless — unfortunately.
Most importantly: there is overbooking on the St. Petersburg – UAE lane. Space is currently available only for August.
In parallel with that, UAE is making a landmark regulatory move to enhance security and efficiency in maritime trade. Beginning July 2025, the country will enforce the Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program—requiring electronic submission of containerized cargo information at least 24 hours prior to vessel departure from the last foreign port. The regulation will come into full force in March 2026. It is part of a global movement toward standardized pre-departure security filings, similar to ICS2 in the EU and ISF in the United States.
The following data should be submitted to the UAE’s National Advance Information Center (NAIC):
- Bill of Lading number;
- Issue date and location;
- Ports on the route;
- Container details & seal numbers;
- Goods details & HS Codes;
- Involved parties;
- Vessel and voyage information (for shipping lines);
- Identifiers of the service providers;
- Other standard information, typically included in BOL.
While filing responsibilities can be delegated to agents or overseas partners, the legal liability remains with the local freight forwarder.
What it means for logistics sector
June 2025 has demonstrated that the UAE continues to be a forward-looking logistics leader. The combination of new international air routes and advanced regulatory frameworks positions the country as a dynamic node in global supply chains.
The implications are twofold:
- New air routes open faster, more flexible options for cargo transport;
- MPCI regulations demand operational readiness and investment in data compliance, but offer long-term benefits in transparency and predictability.
At WELLGO, we closely track market developments to support our clients in making informed decisions, minimizing risks, and optimizing delivery routes. Our team provides customized solutions with genuine care about your cargo.