News

Emirates To Phase Out Paper Boarding Passes In Dubai Hub

Passengers checking in for flights at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 will need to use mobile devices to check in from May 15th.

Published

3 years ago

May 12, 2023

Nour Nasir

Emirates

After we reported on Emirates adopting robotic check-in assistants to increase check-in efficiency at Dubai International Airport, the world’s largest long-haul airline is now taking further steps to boost its sustainability credentials and embrace an all-digital future.

On Monday, May 15th, paper boarding passes will be scrapped for passengers departing from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, and passengers will be required to use electronic alternatives instead.

Emirates passengers will receive email or SMS passes after the weekend, and online check-ins will also be compatible with Apple and Google Wallets and be available in the Emirates app — including receipts for checked bags.

“This initiative will significantly reduce paper waste while simultaneously offering a convenient and speedy digitized check-in experience for passengers departing Dubai [reducing] the risk of lost or misplaced boarding passes, giving passengers peace of mind when traveling,” says Emirates in an official statement.

The move is part of ongoing efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability, though many travelers already prefer to use digital documents and smartphone apps in place of paper equivalents. The company confirmed that mobile boarding passes could be used throughout the travel journey, including at duty-free stores, security, and boarding.

Also Read: Dubai Launches The World’s Largest Ocean Restoration Project

Some exemptions to the new rules include those traveling with infants or people requiring special assistance. All passengers traveling to the United States will also need physical boarding passes, and certain passengers who will use connecting services.

The option to print boarding passes is available by request at check-in desks if passengers do not have a mobile device or cannot access their travel details for any reason.

Emirates has taken several steps towards future-proofing its services and boosting sustainability credentials, including a recent $200 million research and development project focused on advanced fuel systems that could reduce the airline’s environmental impact.

Related Topics:Aviation Dubai Emirates Airline

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News

Nano Banana 2 Arrives In MENA For Google Gemini Users

Google brings its latest image model to Gemini and Search, adding 4K output and tighter text control for regional users.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 27, 2026

Nour Nasir

Google

Google has opened access to Nano Banana 2 across the Middle East and North Africa, pushing its newest image model into everyday tools rather than keeping it inside the exclusive (and expensive) Pro tier.

The rollout spans the Google Gemini desktop and mobile apps, and extends to Google Search through Lens and AI Mode. Developers can also test it in preview via AI Studio and the Gemini API.

Nano Banana 2 runs on Gemini Flash, Google’s fast inference layer. The focus is speed, but also control. Users can export visuals from 512px up to 4K, adjusting aspect ratios for everything from vertical social posts to widescreen displays.

The model maintains character likeness across up to five figures and preserves fidelity for as many as 14 objects within a single workflow. This enables visual continuity across scenes, iterations, or edits — supporting projects like short films, storyboards, and multi-scene narratives. Text rendering has also been improved, delivering legible typography in mockups and greeting cards, with built-in translation and localization directly within images.

Also Read: RØDE Adds Direct iPhone Pairing To Wireless GO And Pro Mics

Under the hood, the system taps Gemini’s broader knowledge base and pulls in real-time information and imagery from web search to render specific subjects more accurately. Lighting and fine detail have been upgraded, without slowing output.

By embedding the model inside Gemini and Search, Google is normalizing advanced image generation for a mass audience. In MENA, where startups and marketing teams are leaning heavily on AI to scale content across languages and borders, that shift lands at a practical moment.

The move also folds creative tooling deeper into search itself, so that image generation is no longer a separate workflow. It now sits right next to the query box.