Emirates Stops Flights to 3 Major Australian Cities

FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
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Emirates Stops Flights to 3 Major Australian Cities

FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Dubai-based Emirates has suspended flights to Australia's three largest cities.

The carrier was one of the last to maintain routes into and out of the country's east coast throughout most of the pandemic but on Friday evening told travelers a handful of planned flights next week would be the last.

"Due to operational reasons, Emirates flights to/from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will be suspended until further notice," Emirates said on its website.

The airline will still run two flights a week to Perth.

Australia's borders have effectively been closed since March to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with the government even limiting the number of citizens allowed to return.

Last week travel restrictions were further tightened, with arrival numbers slashed and all travelers into the country requiring a negative Covid-19 test before flying.

In making the changes, Prime Minister Scott Morrison cited a growing number of people in quarantine testing positive for new strains of Covid-19.



Saudi Arabia Looks to Cambodia to Diversify Rice Imports

A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)
A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Looks to Cambodia to Diversify Rice Imports

A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)
A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)

In a strategic move to diversify its food import sources and stabilize domestic markets, Saudi Arabia is encouraging the private sector to begin importing rice from Cambodia.

The initiative, Asharq Al-Awsat has learned, is part of broader government efforts to expand the availability of high-quality rice alongside existing imports from countries like India, Pakistan, the United States, Egypt, and others.

Rice is a staple food in Saudi households and across the Gulf region. Rising demand, coupled with global challenges such as high shipping costs and climate-related disruptions, has led to fluctuations in supply and pricing. In response, the Kingdom is now looking to Phnom Penh to ensure consistent supply and greater price stability of this essential commodity.

Cambodia has built a strong reputation for producing premium-grade rice. It has been named the producer of the “World’s Best Rice” six times, most recently at the International Rice Conference held in Manila.

The country exports around 63 percent of its rice production, which totals nearly 12 million tons annually. Agriculture remains a top priority for the Cambodian government, which is actively working to increase production and expand access to global markets.

Following the visit by Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce to Riyadh in February, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Foreign Trade has begun coordinating with the private sector to facilitate Cambodian rice imports. Discussions include inviting Saudi companies to visit Cambodian farms to explore supply chain opportunities and assess product quality.

Currently, per capita rice consumption in Saudi Arabia stands at approximately 45.8 kilograms annually and is projected to rise to 50 kilograms in the coming years. Rice plays a vital role in the national diet and is central to many traditional dishes.

Saudi Arabia’s broader food security strategy includes the establishment of a dedicated General Food Security Authority and the rollout of national strategies targeting agriculture, water, and environmental sustainability.

Over the past five years, agricultural investment financing has grown by 1,000 percent, and loans to the sector reached nearly 7 billion riyals ($1.8 billion) in 2022.