As schools close for the mid-term break, families in Dubai are heading outdoors for a dose of sun, sea, and sand. The city’s coastline offers several free beaches perfect for a budget-friendly day out — complete with picture-perfect views, family activities, and nearby amenities.

The Beach, JBR:

Located opposite The Walk at JBR, this vibrant spot combines shopping, dining, and seaside fun. Visitors can enjoy views of Ain Dubai, lounge in The Pods, or watch a movie after a day in the sun.

Jumeirah Public Beach:

Set against the backdrop of the iconic Burj Al Arab, this beach offers both relaxation and recreation. Visitors can jog along the track or simply unwind as the turquoise waters meet soft golden sands.

Kite Beach:

Known for its lively atmosphere, Kite Beach offers cycling and running tracks, food stalls, and adventure sports such as kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. XPark Dubai nearby also features skateboarding, parkour, and climbing zones.

Umm Suqeim Beach:

For a quieter escape, Umm Suqeim Beach near Sunset Mall provides a serene setting for evening swims and family picnics. It’s also a favourite for surfers looking to catch the waves at sunset.

With pleasant weather and plenty of family-friendly activities, Dubai’s beaches promise a perfect mid-term break without spending a dirham.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has rolled out the second phase of its Flight Operations Centralised Unified System (F.O.C.U.S.), with the launch of the live display and monitoring platform. This milestone follows the debut of the system’s official website earlier in the project’s first stage.

The updated phase continues the GCAA’s commitment to building an advanced, fully integrated digital platform that enhances communication channels between aircraft operators and airports throughout the UAE.

Through F.O.C.U.S., the Authority aims to create a centralized ecosystem that strengthens operational efficiency, improves coordination, and facilitates seamless information flow. The platform’s unified digital environment optimizes communication between the GCAA and airport authorities, enabling more collaborative, timely, and data-driven decision-making.

This development aligns closely with the UAE’s national strategy to expand digital transformation in government services, encourage open data practices, and reduce procedural complexity. It also advances the GCAA’s broader vision of fostering closer public-private cooperation and adopting innovative technologies that support smoother aviation operations.

The second phase introduces sophisticated digital capabilities to improve coordination among stakeholders and deliver a real-time operational overview across the nation’s airports. By doing so, it ensures faster responses, better situational awareness, and enhanced workflow integration.

Eng. Aqeel Ahmed Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, emphasized that F.O.C.U.S. represents a major stride toward reinforcing collaborative frameworks within the aviation community. He noted that the platform has already played a key role in simplifying airport-to-airport coordination, increasing data accuracy, and expediting services for air operators.

Al Zarooni further highlighted that the successful completion of this phase paves the way for future expansions, which will introduce more advanced digital solutions and broader interconnectivity with partners. These upcoming enhancements, he added, are aligned with the GCAA’s long-term objective of building a smart, connected, and future-focused aviation ecosystem.

The F.O.C.U.S. platform was first introduced in September as part of the GCAA’s vision to simplify interactions with both domestic and international air operators. It serves as a single-entry digital gateway for obtaining operational approvals, consolidating key aviation data, and linking stakeholders across the UAE through one unified online interface.

Dubai has unveiled a new ultra-private terminal designed to accommodate helicopters, flying taxis, and next-generation eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. Developed by UAE-based Falcon Executive Aviation and announced during the Dubai Airshow 2025, the facility marks a major step in the emirate’s plans to advance urban air mobility and seamless inter-emirate travel.

Built on a 6,380-square-metre site, the terminal offers direct access to both a helipad and a vertiport, enabling immediate helicopter and eVTOL arrivals and departures. Falcon Executive Aviation, part of Alex Group Investment, said the facility is designed to create a smooth, end-to-end mobility experience where travellers can land by private jet, clear immigration privately, and continue their journey by helicopter or transition directly to future eVTOL services for rapid point-to-point travel across Dubai.

The terminal will also feature luxury amenities such as high-end retail, private banking, commercial spaces, and dedicated VIP lounges, supporting a premium vertical-mobility ecosystem.
Sultan Rashit Abdulla Rashit Al Shene, Founder and Chairman of Alex Group Investment, said the project brings together private jet operations, helicopters, and eVTOLs under one gateway for the first time. He noted that the development includes the largest helipad facility in the UAE and serves as a foundation for the region’s future air mobility network.

A key component enabling the project is the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) regulatory framework issued in July, which allows eVTOLs and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably from the same infrastructure. This means existing helipads can be used for flying taxis, accelerating deployment timelines and optimising infrastructure use.
GCAA Director-General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi said the dual-use capability strengthens the UAE’s position as a leader in integrated future aviation ecosystems.

Visitors to the Dubai Airshow 2025 were also given a preview of the flying taxi expected to launch in the first quarter of next year.

As schools close for the mid-term break, families in Dubai are heading outdoors for a dose of sun, sea, and sand. The city’s coastline offers several free beaches perfect for a budget-friendly day out — complete with picture-perfect views, family activities, and nearby amenities.

The Beach, JBR:

Located opposite The Walk at JBR, this vibrant spot combines shopping, dining, and seaside fun. Visitors can enjoy views of Ain Dubai, lounge in The Pods, or watch a movie after a day in the sun.

Jumeirah Public Beach:

Set against the backdrop of the iconic Burj Al Arab, this beach offers both relaxation and recreation. Visitors can jog along the track or simply unwind as the turquoise waters meet soft golden sands.

Kite Beach:

Known for its lively atmosphere, Kite Beach offers cycling and running tracks, food stalls, and adventure sports such as kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. XPark Dubai nearby also features skateboarding, parkour, and climbing zones.

Umm Suqeim Beach:

For a quieter escape, Umm Suqeim Beach near Sunset Mall provides a serene setting for evening swims and family picnics. It’s also a favourite for surfers looking to catch the waves at sunset.

With pleasant weather and plenty of family-friendly activities, Dubai’s beaches promise a perfect mid-term break without spending a dirham.