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Fair market, fair play: UAE’s new law ensures level playing field for businesses

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If you’re running a business in the UAE, there’s a new rule you’ll want to know about. In a major move to keep the market fair and open for everyone, the UAE has introduced new competition regulations aimed at preventing monopolies and making sure no single company dominates an industry.

“This is an important step because of the maturity of our market,” said Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry during a media roundtable.

Under the Regulation of Competition federal law, any business that controls more than 40 per cent of total sales in its sector or earns over Dh300 million in revenue per year will now have to notify regulators. The idea? To stop companies from getting too big and blocking out competition, ensuring a level playing field for all businesses — big or small.

So, What Happens If a Company Hits That 40% Mark?

Once a company reports its dominant position, the Ministry of Economy has 90 days to review the case (with a possible extension of 45 days). If regulators reject the request, the company can’t move forward with business expansions, mergers, or acquisitions.

To avoid hitting roadblocks, businesses can also submit proposals to show they’re taking steps to prevent unfair competition.

Are There Any Exceptions?

“Exceptions are allowed on some conditions,” said Al Saleh. 

“One is, if the industry is owned totally by the government or if a company has a declaration from the government that this company will be exempted from the law.”

Any company which falls into a sector that has specific laws will also be exempted.  “For example, if we are talking about telecommunication, then TDRA will be the regulatory authority to implement the anti-competition in that industry,” he said. 

“In the absence of a specific sectoral law, this law will be implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Economy.”

Why Now?

“We first introduced an anti-competition law in 2012, but some sectors were excluded. Now, all industries are covered. Plus, we needed to keep up with advancements in technology and the digital economy,” Al Saleh said.

By setting clear limits on market dominance, the UAE hopes to create a more balanced business environment where startups and new businesses have a fair shot at success.

With over 1.1 million companies and economic institutions in the UAE, this law is expected to shake up the market—making it fairer, more competitive, and more welcoming for new players.

So, if you’re running a business in the UAE, it’s time to pay attention to these new rules—because fair competition just became the new normal!

(Inputs from Khaleej Times)

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Dubai travel: Emirates minimises disruptions, reassures travellers ahead of summer holidays

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Despite heightened regional tensions on June 23, Emirates Airline resumed regular operations within hours, with only minimal disruptions reported across its global network.

The Dubai-based carrier activated its contingency and disruption plans following the latest regional developments, swiftly stabilising operations without any flight diversions and only a few route cancellations. Most affected flights were rerouted slightly to avoid restricted airspace, resulting in limited delays due to congestion.

In a statement, Emirates confirmed that its scheduled services resumed quickly and that the airline had maintained operations to the majority of destinations. Flights to Amman and Beirut, which were briefly suspended, resumed shortly after, demonstrating Emirates’ agility in responding to dynamic situations while ensuring traveller safety.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority,” the airline said, noting it would never operate any flight unless it meets the strictest safety regulations. Emirates continues to coordinate closely with global aviation authorities and regularly evaluates the security landscape to reroute aircraft if needed.

Keeping Passengers Informed

The airline kept its customers up to date throughout the disruptions via its website, social media channels, and through dedicated reservation teams, who assisted travellers in adjusting itineraries as needed.

Looking Ahead to Summer Travel

As Emirates prepares for a surge in summer travel, the airline said it remains ready to adapt to any changing conditions. “With the UAE’s strong infrastructure and support systems, we are fully prepared to continue safe and smooth operations,” the airline added.

Travellers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and stay informed through official Emirates communication channels.

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Latest UAE travel update: What travellers, especially to India, need to know amid flight disruptions 

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Several UAE-based airlines have issued disruptions in their service and route changes as a precautionary response following heightened regional tensions after Iran attacks Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar

UAE residents planning to travel this week are advised to double-check their flight status before heading to the airport, as ongoing regional tensions have led to disruptions across several major carriers.

Following Iran’s attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, airlines including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia have rerouted or cancelled select flights to ensure passenger safety amid restricted airspace and rising geopolitical risk.

What UAE Airlines Are Saying

Etihad Airways

  • Cancelled flights on Tuesday (June 24) to/from Kuwait, Doha, and Dammam:
    • EY651/652 (Abu Dhabi – Kuwait)
    • EY663/664 (Abu Dhabi – Doha)
    • EY575/576 (Abu Dhabi – Dammam)
  • Flights to Israel remain suspended until July 15.
  • The airline confirmed it is using only approved airspace and warned that the situation is highly dynamic.
  • Passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to cancelled destinations will not be accepted for travel.

Emirates Airline

  • Has rerouted flights away from conflict zones.
  • Temporary suspension of all flights to Iran and Iraq (Tehran, Baghdad, Basra) until June 30.
  • Warns of potential delays due to longer routes and airspace congestion.

flydubai

  • Flights on June 24 resumed, but delays remain possible.
  • Temporary suspension of services to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, and St. Petersburg (Russia) until June 30.
  • Passengers heading to these destinations via Dubai will not be accepted from their point of origin.

Air Arabia

  • Advises passengers of possible disruptions due to airspace closures.
  • Suspended services to Jordan (until June 25) and Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan (until June 30).

Dubai/Abu Dhabi Airport Updates

  • Dubai Airports said operations across DXB and DWC have resumed, but some delays or cancellations may still occur. 
  • Travellers heading to India are especially advised to confirm flight status in advance. “Due to regional airspace closures, flights from DXB and DWC – Al Maktoum International may be impacted. Please check with your airline for the latest updates before heading to the airport, especially for guests travelling to India,” Dubai Airports wrote on X.
  • Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi echoed similar advice: check with your airline before traveling.

Impact on International Flights

  • flydubai, Etihad, Emirates, and Air Arabia have adjusted or halted flights across the region.
  • IndiGo Airlines suspended flights to several Gulf cities including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Dammam, and Abu Dhabi until at least 10am Tuesday.
  • Pakistan International Airlines has halted services to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Dubai.
  • EgyptAir also cancelled Gulf-bound flights from Cairo.
  • Air Canada extended its Toronto–Dubai flight suspension until August 4.

Additional Restrictions

  • Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for Indian-operated aircraft, including military flights—until July 23, 2025.

Travel Tips for UAE Passengers

  • Check flight status online or via airline apps before leaving home.
  • Expect delays even if your flight is not cancelled—reroutings may extend travel time.
  • If you are transiting through the UAE to a suspended destination, contact your airline immediately to explore alternative arrangements.

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Dubai Airports resume full operations after precautionary pause, travellers urged to check flight status

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Dubai Airports has announced the resumption of full operations at all its airports following a temporary precautionary pause, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office.

“While Dubai Airports is working with airlines to ensure flights operate according to approved schedules, some flights may experience delays or cancellations,” Dubai Airports wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

While the exact nature of the pause was not disclosed, authorities emphasised that the safety and well-being of all travellers and aviation staff remain the top priority.

Operations teams are now working closely with airlines to normalise flight schedules, but passengers may still encounter delays or cancellations as services stabilise.

“Due to regional airspace closures, flights from DXB and DWC – Al Maktoum International may be impacted. Please check with your airline for the latest updates before heading to the airport, especially for guests travelling to India,” Dubai Airports wrote on its social media platform.

Travellers flying in or out of Dubai International (DXB) or Al Maktoum International (DWC) are strongly advised to:

  • Check directly with their airlines for real-time flight updates
  • Arrive early to allow extra time for check-in and security
  • Monitor official channels, including @DXBMediaOffice and @DubaiAirports

The temporary disruption comes as the summer travel season picks up, with a high volume of passengers expected in the coming weeks.

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