Emirates has reached a major milestone in its cargo operations by becoming the first airline cargo carrier to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft. The newly inducted aircraft, A6-EBK, will begin commercial operations with its inaugural flight from Hong Kong to Dubai, carrying more than 100 tonnes of cargo.

The Boeing 777-300ERSF adds significant capacity to the Emirates SkyCargo fleet, offering 100 tonnes of payload capacity and 811 cubic metres of cargo volume. Compared with the Boeing 777-F production freighter, the converted aircraft provides 25% more cargo volume and accommodates 47 pallet positions, including 10 additional pallet positions. This makes it well suited for transporting high-volume shipments such as e-commerce goods, which currently account for around 20% of global air cargo tonnage and are expected to continue growing.

Commenting on the milestone, Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo's Divisional Senior Vice President, said, "The induction of the first converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF into operational service represents the next step in the expansion of our fleet and operational agility. We are optimising our fleet assets by converting older Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to meet the growing demand for air cargo capacity to transport goods rapidly across the world."

"Combined with our growing fleet of Boeing 777-F production freighters, we have already been able to scale our global freighter network from just over 40 destinations in February this year to 62 destinations currently and growing. We are providing our global customers with scalable cargo capacity and ultimate flexibility and connectivity when moving cargo to and through our hub in Dubai."

The Boeing 777-300ERSF is the sixth freighter to join Emirates SkyCargo since March 2026, following the induction of five Boeing 777-F production freighters.

As part of its fleet expansion plans, Emirates SkyCargo is set to receive five additional Boeing 777-F aircraft and one more converted Boeing 777-300ERSF by December 2026. The carrier also plans to induct three more converted Boeing 777-300ERSFs into its fleet during 2027.

The continued expansion of Emirates SkyCargo's fleet and network supports the airline's strategy to strengthen global trade by connecting businesses with key production hubs and expanding its cargo network across six continents. The carrier's freighter network has already grown from just over 40 destinations in February 2026 to 62 destinations, with further expansion planned.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered another action-packed day as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 in their Group J clash to secure an important victory. In the other Group J fixture, Algeria and Austria played out an entertaining 3-3 draw, with both teams sharing the points after a high-scoring contest.

The tournament has now moved into the Round of 32, where Canada progressed after edging past South Africa by a single goal in a closely fought encounter.

While the on-field action continues to excite football fans, the tournament is also drawing attention for its rising costs. The FIFA World Cup 2026 has become the most expensive World Cup for spectators, with higher ticket and accommodation prices making it increasingly difficult for many fans to attend.

Official ticket prices for the group stage were initially priced at up to $575, a significant increase from the $220 maximum for group-stage tickets at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. FIFA's introduction of a dynamic pricing model, where ticket prices rise with demand, has pushed resale prices even higher.

According to Ticketdata, a ticket price tracking website, the average lowest resale price for upcoming matches stood at around $1,600 on Friday. Tickets for the later stages of the tournament are being sold at even higher prices. Some fans reportedly spent $4,000 for four tickets, excluding travel and accommodation expenses.

The rising costs have sparked concerns that the World Cup is becoming increasingly accessible only to wealthier supporters. Many believe the growing financial barriers are changing the makeup of crowds, reducing opportunities for the traditional fan base that has long been at the heart of football culture.

The United Arab Emirates marked a major milestone in its transport sector as Etihad Rail launched its first passenger service between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. The inaugural train departed from Al Hilal City station in Fujairah at 5.34am on Tuesday and reached Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7am, officially beginning the country's long-awaited national passenger rail service.

Hundreds of passengers were part of the historic journey, with celebrations starting at the Fujairah station from 5am. Guests were welcomed with a traditional Emirati men's dance, Arabic coffee, cookies and Barakat's Ghaf wellness shots. A mascot inspired by the popular Emirati cartoon Freej also greeted travellers before departure.

Tickets for the new service are available through the Etihad Rail app. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah now takes around one hour and 45 minutes, reducing the usual road travel time by about an hour. Travelling at speeds of up to 200 kmph, the train offers passengers scenic views of the UAE's mountain landscape.

Etihad Rail's passenger fleet consists of 13 trains, with each train capable of carrying up to 400 passengers. The newly developed stations feature cafes, restaurants and retail outlets, while onboard dining facilities are also available to enhance the travel experience.

To mark the launch, Etihad Rail is offering an initial 50 per cent discount on tickets for the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route. The rail network will continue to expand over the coming months, with 10 stations expected to open by the end of March next year.

Following the launch of the Fujairah route, stations at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and Al Dhaid in Sharjah will open on September 30. Five stations in Al Dhafra are scheduled to begin operations on December 30, while University City station in Sharjah is expected to open on March 30 next year.

The Etihad Rail project is designed to improve connectivity between the emirates, encourage greater use of public transport, reduce road traffic and support environmental sustainability. The railway is also expected to boost tourism, attract investment and contribute to urban development across the UAE. Passenger numbers across the network are projected to reach 36 million by 2030.

Speaking after inaugurating the Abu Dhabi station last week, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said the launch of passenger services reflects the UAE's commitment to building a fully integrated transport network that strengthens connectivity, supports investment, promotes tourism and drives urban development. He described the project as a strategic investment that will contribute to the country's long-term growth and strengthen its global position.