Farah Andrews

Errors in baggage handling are among the most stressful aspects of travel. However, according to a survey released this week, mishandling rates fell by 23 per cent in 2025. The report, compiled by SITA, an IT and telecoms provider for the air transport industry, shows that the Middle East is leading in this efficiency push. The region has an average of 5.3 mishandled bags per 1,000, almost half the global average of 9.12 per 1,000 on international flights.

Etihad Rail’s first passenger route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will give travellers about one hour and 45 minutes on board – enough time to settle into the right book. The duration favours works that lock you in quickly: a slim novel with a strong mood, a short story that is easy to enter but lingers in the mind, an essay that reframes your view outside the window, or a classic that gives its central conflict early and lets the implications gather.