Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

06 Jul 2026. In an exclusive, we speak to Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali about those new cheap flights to London Gatwick and the impact of the conflict on the budget carrier. Plus, UAE banks increased their lending in Q1. Is that likely to continue? We go through the numbers with Sam Gidoomal of Alvarez & Marsal. And one month after Abu Dhabi’s rent freeze, we look at the effect it’s having on market movements with Ben Crompton of Crompton Partners

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03 Jul 2026. As Taylor and Travis tie the knot, we ask what the conflict has actually meant for the UAE’s wedding industry. Arun Bablani, Owner and Founder of Vivaah Weddings and The Event Group, says there’s a silver lining. Plus, another Chinese EV brand is making its move into the UAE. We speak to Lucas Bellieud of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility about what DENZA’s arrival says about the electric car race here. And Dubai has just approved a new 15km elevated road running parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. Roger Cruickshank of AtkinsRéalis on what it means for your commute.

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02 Jul 2026. Dubai inflation rose to 5.5% in May, on the back of higher energy and therefore transport and food costs. We find out if this is more than just a high oil price story with our economist on call, Daniel Richards of Emirates NBD. Plus, we speak to the Dubai jewellery designer who’s just landed a major write-up in the FT, Ashna Mehta of Bag Bijoux. What does the summer mean for the restaurant business? We speak to chef Reif Othman and restaurant operator Gabrielle Mather to find out what contingencies they’re putting in place for slower summer footfall. And with H1 done and dusted, Cosmin Ivan of Platinumlist tells us what the entertainment landscape looks like going forward.

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01 Jul 2026. UAE commuters will pay less at the pump this month as local petrol prices fall to reflect dips in global oil markets. Super and Special are both down around 14%, while diesel is nearly 17% lower for July. We find out what lower fuel prices mean for inflation with economist Daniel Richards of Emirates NBD. Plus, we speak to Viva Supermarket CEO Andy Adcock about what the supermarket put in place to keep its low prices low during the conflict. Enrolment is up 13% in a single year. We find out what’s pulling so many students into UAE universities and what it means for the economy with Dr Sameera Al Mulla. And what if governments could make policy at the speed of AI? A UAE firm just put $15 million behind that idea. We find out more with Omar AlYawer of Ruya Partners.

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30 Jun 2026. dnata comes in to prove, or disprove, Tom & Brandy's summer travel theories, with Meera Ketait. Plus, what does summer travel mean for safe space demand? We speak to vault owner Jafer Rashid of MySafe about what we’re stashing away when we go abroad. Private sector hiring grew in the first quarter, so where is the UAE jobs market actually heading for the rest of the year? Sonam Haider of Aethra Advisory joins us. And history in motion. Andrew Hosie reports live from the very first Etihad Rail passenger train from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi.

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29 Jun 2026. Tasha’s, the restaurant group, is about to undergo the biggest expansion in its history, with more than 75 million dirhams being invested in new restaurants. We speak to founder Natasha Sideris. Plus, how often does your luggage actually go missing? A new global report is out, and the Middle East is leading the way. More with Selim Bouri, President Middle East, Africa and Türkiye at SITA. The UAE’s electronic invoicing scheme is now in its pilot phase. We find out how it’s going to work with John Casey of Virtuzone. And we speak to a man who has just started construction on several dozen new villas despite the conflict, Moustafa Elsaid of Swank Development.

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26 Jun 2026. Tickets for the first Etihad Rail services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah have sold out, with more than 5,000 seats snapped up in just two days. Speaking on The Business Breakfast, Etihad Rail’s Adhraa Al Mansoori said the company’s free booking app is already number one in the UAE. Georgia Tolley takes us on board ahead of the big day. Plus, we look at where Standard Chartered is telling its customers to put their money in H2 with regional Chief Investment Officer Manpreet Gill. ADNOC Drilling has a new AI rig. We asked CFO Youssef Salem exactly what it is and what it means for the company and its shareholders. And why your electronics are about to cost a lot more. We find out with Jacky’s Retail.

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25 Jun 2026. That’s according to a new report by Kearney, which says a conflict resolution is not a business condition recovery. Valentin Lavaill of Kearney joins us to explain what they’re telling clients to put in place now. Plus, Ramn Kumar of Al Futtaim Logistics shares the contingency plans and workarounds that have got them through the last four months. How have months of regional uncertainty changed what we insure and what it costs? Hitesh Motwani of InsuranceMarket.ae gives us the picture. And airline profits are set to halve this year, with Gulf carriers taking the biggest hit. Kashif Khalid of IATA on what’s behind it.

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24 Jun 2026.Dubai has introduced a new flexible rent initiative, tying up with a dozen property firms to offer monthly payments and grace periods to renters, as well as direct debit and credit card payment options. We find out how it works with Khalid Al Shaibani, head of the rental affairs department at the DLD. Plus, most landlords can’t tell you which of their units is under-earning. A UAE fintech says its AI can. We find out how with Rentify. We also get a first look at new research into how expats currently feel about life here in Dubai with Nigel Owen, Strategic Communications Director at ARCET Global. And Britain looks set for a new Prime Minister, which could mean big changes for anyone with UK property. We find out what it means for expats and UAE nationals with Knight Frank.

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23 Jun 2026. Transguard has posted record results, with revenue past AED 4 billion and a workforce over 78,000. CFO Nick Beer joins us. Plus, what's really happening to UAE hiring right now? Nathalie Spree of Seven Level Consulting breaks down the numbers. Adel Alderi of Marsh on the new workforce resilience challenge facing UAE employers. And Saurabh Tiwari of Taj Hotels on whether the Q4 travel rush is materialising.

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