flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, celebrated launching direct flights Between Riyadh and Damascus on Thursday, June 5, becoming the first Saudi airline to connect the two countries in 12 years, further expanding its network in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques.
An inaugural ceremony was held at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh on Thursday, June 5, attended by the Syrian Charge d’Affaires Hussain Abdulaziz and representatives from flynas and the Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates KKIA, as well as media representatives. Travelling guests on the departing inaugural flight to Damascus were welcomed with giveaways, and the aircraft was received with a “water salute” upon its arrival at Damascus International Airport, in the presence of the Saudi Charge d’Affaires Abdullah Al-Haris, and representatives from the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation, flynas, and Damascus International Airport.
Resuming flights to the Syrian capital confirms flynas’ commitment to strengthening ties between the two brotherly nations, as the leading LCC has been a pioneer in providing air routes between the Kingdom and various Syrian cities. flynas previously operated direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia.
flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.

Yango Ads, the ad tech division of Yango Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Dr. Nutrition, one of the Middle East’s leading health and wellness retailers. The collaboration brings Yango Ads’ 360° Retail Media platform to Dr. Nutrition’s digital ecosystem, unlocking new revenue streams while delivering hyper-personalised customer engagement in a fast-growing, data-driven healthcare retail market.
Powered by first-party data and real-time targeting, the full-stack integration includes ad management, ad serving, inventory support, audience augmentation, user analytics and exclusive operational oversight by Yango Ads. The solution ensures customers receive product recommendations, content, and highly relevant offers on their online wellness shopping journey.
“In today’s research-driven consumer market, precise timing and highly relevant messaging make all the difference. Retail media can help brands connect with today’s health-conscious consumers,” said Evgenii Pavlov, General Manager at Yango Ads MEA. “With Dr. Nutrition, we’re combining AI-driven precision and deep consumer insight to create a smarter, more meaningful advertising experience. Through our partnership, the brand can better meet its customers’ needs, offering the most relevant recommendations and support at the right moment. The Middle East is one of the most exciting markets for this transformation, with 44% of consumers now shopping online daily or weekly, well above the global average.”
Dr. Nutrition, with over 200 stores across 10 countries in the GCC and North Africa, is increasingly focused on personalisation to meet the evolving expectations of today’s consumer. The new solution will allow the brand to deliver targeted product suggestions and wellness advice in real time, enhancing each user’s experience while reinforcing its leadership in the health and supplements sector. As the UAE’s eCommerce revenue is projected to reach $8 billion in 2025, the partnership puts Dr. Nutrition in a strong position to leverage this growth with highly tailored digital engagement.
“In a competitive and rapidly changing health sector, retail media gives us the tools to differentiate in a more personalised way,” said Ashraf Gamal, Head of E-commerce at Dr. Nutrition. “At Dr Nutrition, our mission is to make health and wellness more accessible, relevant, and tailored to each individual. Instead of broad messaging, Yango Ads’ data-driven insights enable us to connect with people based on real interest and intent. It helps us reinforce our role as a trusted wellness partner who understands the unique goals of every customer and supports them across every stage of their health journey.”
Also commenting on the partnership, Yuliya Kim, Head of Partnerships at Yango Ads MEA, added: “We’re seeing more regional brands adopt retail media to bridge the gap between awareness and conversion. With Dr. Nutrition, the focus is on building a high-performance customer-centric advertising experience, turning data into actionable insights to drive long-term value for both the brand and its users.”
The collaboration also aligns with public health initiatives like the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which emphasises the importance of personalised wellness approaches. As investment in retail media networks is expected to reach $140 billion globally by 2026, Yango Ads is positioned to offer retailers a single platform that integrates ad serving, audience segmentation, measurement, and creative management.
By harnessing Yango Ads’ advanced adtech capabilities, Dr. Nutrition can dynamically adjust messaging to suit individual customer goals, whether they’re starting a new supplement plan or optimising their fitness routine.

The Circular Packaging Association (CPA) participated recently as a knowledge partner at the Smithers Sustainability in Packaging MENA Summit 2025, held in Dubai. The two-day event convened industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore the latest trends, policies, and innovations shaping the future of sustainable packaging in the region.

CPA board members and representatives from leading industry and trade organizations took part in dynamic discussions that addressed a range of critical topics, including the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the UAE as well as similar dynamics in the region, single-use plastic rationalization, and the broader regulatory landscape driving circularity across the MENA.

During the sessions on EPR, speakers underscored the essential role of EPR schemes in accelerating reduction, reuse, and recycling. Emphasis was placed on the value of harmonized regulations—not only within national borders but across the wider region—to enable scalable systems, reduce market fragmentation, and streamline trade.

Industry participants reiterated their commitment to supporting co-design mechanisms, implementing harmonized reporting structures, and working with government stakeholders to build future-ready, effective EPR systems.

“Public-private collaboration is not a luxury; it’s a necessity,” said Sara Jackson, Technical Director at the CPA. “A circular packaging future requires inclusive systems built on two-way dialogue between regulators and private sector players. We must come together to co-create solutions that are technically sound, economically viable, and socially inclusive—aligned with the UAE’s vision for a circular economy.”

The summit also covered key themes such as global frameworks to tackle plastic pollution, the role of advanced recycling technologies in the MENA region, and how brands are leading the way in sustainable packaging. Panel discussions and case studies explored the intersection of policy and innovation, offering attendees actionable insights on driving system-wide transformation.

As the region looks to align environmental goals with economic resilience, the CPA continues to champion evidence-based policy engagement, industry and trade capacity building, and knowledge sharing to support a circular, sustainable  future.