Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

Epizodes

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  Why Emirates fares may not fall yet 16.09.2026 41min

  16 Sep 2026. Emirates says passengers should not expect much movement in ticket prices while fuel and operating costs remain high. Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim also explains how the airline restored passenger and cargo flights after safe corridors opened. Plus, what did postponing ATM cost, and what does its return tell us about confidence? Executive Reporter Georgia Tolley asks organiser RX Global. We also hear from Hilton’s Guy Hutchinson on the outlook for hotels across the Middle East and Africa, and RAKBANK’s Vishal Shah on what UAE businesses need from their bank.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Is Dubai Airport seeing the tourism turnaround? 15.09.2026 41min
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  UAE tourism is ready to “ascend strongly”, says Economy and Tourism Minister 14.09.2026 55min

  14 Sep 2026. “We’re done with the descending.” UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says the country is preparing for tourism to “ascend strongly” as Arabian Travel Market begins. Plus, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim discusses Premium Economy, new aircraft deliveries and its US$5 billion retrofit programme. Plus, full conversation with RAKBANK CEO Raheel Ahmed as the bank marks 50 years, and Kempinski Group CEO Barbara Muckermann joins us on the outlook for luxury hospitality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How businesses can access EDB funding 11.09.2026 34min

  11 Sep 2026. Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has lent Dh30 billion to companies over the past five years. We speak to its CEO, H.E. Ahmed Al Naqbi, about where the money is going and how businesses can access funding. Plus, Arvind Ramamurthy explains how ADGM increased its assets under management by 50% in the first half of the year. We also look at The Hoxton’s Middle East debut in Dubai Media City and Azizi’s plans to build more than 10,000 homes in Sharjah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Wizz Air to return to UAE 10.09.2026 41min

  10 Sep 2026. Wizz Air is restoring flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Global Chief Commercial Officer Ian Malin explains what has changed and what it could mean for ticket prices. Plus, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission on CEPA and moving goods between Australia and the UAE despite regional disruption, the business deals expected during the UAE President’s visit to Germany, and eToro market analyst Josh Gilbert on Apple’s passport shaped foldable iPhone Duo and the market reaction.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Is AI really killing entry level jobs? 09.09.2026 32min

  09 Sep 2026. Despite fears that AI is replacing entry level roles, ManpowerGroup says demand for junior staff is surging. Country Manager Bryan Luro explains what UAE employers are looking for and why 51% plan to increase headcount. Plus, Majid Al Futtaim reports record first half earnings, Aramex discusses its workforce transformation and Dubai Opera celebrates ten years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why is UAE medical insurance getting more expensive? 08.09.2026 34min

  08 Sep 2026. UAE employer medical costs could rise by another 10% next year. Adel Alderi of Marsh Health and Benefits explains what is driving the increase and how companies are managing the pressure. Plus, PepsiCo discusses rising commodity costs and changes to its drinks, Paws & Co outlines plans for 30 veterinary clinics and hospitals, and Ferox Partners examines the rise of fractional hiring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Loyalty in a time of conflict 04.09.2026 49min

  04 Sep 2026. What have the past six months meant for Emirates Skywards and its members? Dr Nejib Ben Khedher discusses rising membership, changes to rewards and how disruption has created an opportunity to attract passengers from rival airlines. Plus, Emirates NBD’s Daniel Richards examines the rebound in UAE business activity, Queen Elizabeth’s School Founding Principal Dan Clark discusses the changing expectations of parents, and the Emirates Dubai 7s Long Lunch is back, with former England rugby player Martin Bayfield joining us ahead of the event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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   Would you pay AED1,949 for a toothbrush?   03.09.2026 43min

  03 Sep 2026.  Would you pay AED1,949 for a toothbrush with a camera, AI and its own water jet? Dyson Principal Engineer Chris Vincent explains what took 661 engineers six years to develop. We also ask Fortes Education why more Dubai families are switching schools and catch up with The Camel Soap Factory after it reached its 25,000 bar survival target.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Who pays when an event is cancelled?   02.09.2026 32min

  02 Sep 2026. Events season is under way, but what insurance do organisers need and what happens when a show is cancelled or postponed? Boyd Edmondson of Seven Insurance Brokers explains. We also speak to IATA’s Kashif Khalid as global air travel grows while Middle Eastern airlines remain nearly 10% down, checkin with Ras Al Khaimah’s property market with Cavendish Maxwell’s Ali Siddiqui, and speak with Innoventures Education CEO Poonam Bhojani as the group opens two new schools in Town Square and Sharjah.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  UAE commuters will pay more at the pump this month 01.09.2026 34min

      01 Sep 2026. UAE petrol prices up around 5.5% this month, while diesel has increased 13%. We unpack the sharp rise at the pump with Kpler’s Matt Stanley, explore Dubai’s billion-dollar lab-grown diamond trade with DMCC’s Ahmed bin Sulayem, hear how House of Pops cracked the Chinese market, and it's the first day of 'Psychological September', we look at what it might hold for business with Oxford EconomicsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Back to School: Who’s Filling Dubai’s Classrooms?  31.08.2026 36min

  31 Aug 2026. Taaleem’s Alan Williamson and GEMS Education’s Dino Varkey discuss school enrolments, teacher recruitment and parents’ priorities, while Alshaya’s John Hadden takes stock of summer shopping and loyalty programs, and Bayut’s Fibha Ahmed explores what’s shaping buyers’ and renters’ choices across Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Nvidia’s billion-dollar days, beats expectations again 27.08.2026 43min

  27 Aug 2026. eToro’s Josh Gilbert unpacks Nvidia’s $96.2 billion quarter; Platinumlist explains why UAE event bookings are up 31% while customers spend less; Ethara discusses the latest additions to Abu Dhabi’s F1 concert line-up; and Atlantis Dubai takes stock of its summerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  DXB reported 31.5 million H1 passengers 26.08.2026 34min

  26 Aug 2026. Dubai International Airport saw 31.5 million passengers in the first half of the year, just over 30% down on the same period in 2025, with aircraft movements falling by a similar margin. CEO Paul Griffiths takes us through the numbers. Plus, Anthony Robbins is coming to Coca-Cola Arena. What else is keeping the seats full? We talk to GM Mark Jan Kar. Dubai has 20,000 international students and only 6,000 proper beds, and Craig Fernandes of Makaan is trying to fix that. And the iconic Toyota building is reportedly coming down in 2027. We hear the story behind the landmark from Katib Belkhodja as Marketing Director for Toyota and Lexus in the UAESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How did business fare through the summer? 25.08.2026 44min

  25 Aug 2026. We started a new interview series this morning, Summer Stocktake, looking at how business fared through the hotter months. Today, gyms, summer camps and cafes. Plus, the F1 Grand Prix isn’t the only big event coming back to the capital this December. We also have Abu Dhabi Finance Week, and we spoke to the Editor in Chief. Companies used to choose a base on licence costs alone, but now they’re asking about schools and housing. Ramy Jallad of RAKEZ on what’s changed. And the business of being funny. Zarna Garg is headlining the Dubai Comedy Festival, and she joined us this morning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Formula 1 GP confirmed for Abu Dhabi! 24.08.2026 30min

  24 Aug 2026. The CEO of F1 has confirmed that the final race of the 2026 season will take place in Abu Dhabi, in a boost for hotels and other businesses in the capital. We speak to David Powell, Chief Portfolio and Strategy Officer at Ethara, on the conversations behind it and what it means for the economy. With the race confirmed, we also look at what it means for business, from hotels to private jets. And what do higher AI chip costs mean for the UAE’s data centres? We speak to the companies building and running them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  New VAT rules around supplier verification coming in next month 21.08.2026 32min

  21 Aug 2026. UAE companies claiming VAT refunds will need to verify their suppliers under new rules coming into force from 1 October. The Federal Tax Authority is asking businesses to check who they’re buying from before claiming input tax back. Tax expert Thomas Vanhee, Founding Partner at Aurifer, on what it all means. Plus, it’s back to school. We speak to the boss of the newly opened Harrow School and one university head about what the new academic year holdsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Dubai inflation eases to 5.3%. 20.08.2026 33min

  20 Aug 2026. Dubai inflation came in at just over 5.3% annually in July. Transport rose by nearly 12%, while food and beverage prices grew by nearly 8%, compared with the same month a year earlier. We look at what’s behind those numbers and where they’re heading with economist Dan Richards. Plus, a new school year begins with more families arriving in Dubai. We find out what parents are asking about fees and value with Graham Paris, Director of US Curriculum Schools in Dubai for Taaleem. A new research report suggests UAE companies are spending on AI but not necessarily using it to its full capacity. We find out more with Jessica Constantinidis, Innovation Officer EMEA at ServiceNow. And are people in Dubai starting to give up owning a car? We find out what half a million shared trips a year reveal, with Udrive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Choithrams moves into Metro stations 19.08.2026 43min

  19 Aug 2026. Choithrams has launched convenience stores, called Quickerr, in four Dubai Metro stations, with four more to open in the next two days, the CEO has told The Business Breakfast. There will be 28 by the end of the year. Plus, are people still setting up businesses here? We find out what the licence numbers reveal about confidence in the UAE right now with Virtuzone. And entry level jobs are disappearing just as AI takes hold. We meet the teenagers already solving real problems for DIFC companies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mid-range hotels are beating the luxury end 18.08.2026 35min

  18 Aug 2026. Dubai’s mid-range hotels outperformed our high end hotels in the first half of this year, according to Cavendish Maxwell. We find out more with Research Manager Ali Siddiqui. Plus, air freight rates out of this region are up nearly 50% in a year, even as volumes fall. We find out what that means for the cost of getting goods here with aviation expert Nick Humphrey. An Indian coffee chain is looking to create a stir with its first UAE cafe, but have we got room for more? We speak to the CEO of Blue Tokai Coffee Roaters. And our Summer Strategy series continues, with an 18-year-old family tyre business reinventing itself in the quiet months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.