October show: In the Gulf

Adjust font size:

(CNN) -- This month CNN Business Traveller is in the Gulf where billions of dollars are being spent on constructing street after street of new buildings to cater for an influx of foreign investors.

We examine the rivalry between the region's airports as they compete to create leading hub and spoke operations. We take viewers behind the scenes of the annual Routes Conference where airlines and airports decide where you'll fly next. And we escape to the UAE's first national park where the emphasis is not on breakneck construction, but on saving the region's threatened animals.

Air bridging the Gulf

Decades of high oil prices have pumped billions of dollars into the oil-rich Middle East. The region's rulers are now using that money to turn their desert capitals into economic oases for international business and travellers.

The amount of money being spent is staggering. UAE airlines have ordered $55 billion worth of new planes. Another $20 billion is being spent on upgrading and building new airports. But is it worth it? Can the major carriers survive? We ask the CEOs of Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and Etihad.

Going back to their Routes

Forget days of boring speeches, the annual Routes Conference is more like a speed-dating session for the airline world. Every year, airlines and airports descend on a particular destination to negotiate where you fly in the future. This year it was Dubai. Airports have just 20 minutes to convince airlines why they should be added to their schedules. It's a high-pressure situation. We go behind the scenes to find out where you're likely to be flying next.

Security update

Could the days of longer airport queues be over? More than one month after the alleged UK terror plot, the United Kingdom has relaxed its strict rules on hand baggage. The European Union and the United States have been in talks to harmonise security rules at airports within the two regions. But how close are they to reaching an agreement? Can business travellers expect to soon have one simple and sensible set of rules?

Escaping in the desert

We leave behind the crane-filled skyline of Dubai and escape to the undulating dunes of the Arabian Desert. Just one hour away from the traffic snarls and towering scaffolding is Al Maha, a luxury resort in the United Arab Emirates' first national park. Here, the emphasis is not on construction, but conservation. The park is home to an endangered species of Oryx. We try our hand at the ancient sport of falconry, and brave the blistering heat for a spot of sand skiing.

Show times

ALL TIMES GMT

Airs the second weekend of the month and the following Thursday.

Next air dates: October 14/15/19

Saturday 07:30, 13:30, 16:30

Sunday 11:30, 17:30

Thursday 13:30, 17:30

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Can cloud ships and space sun shades fix the planet?
• Hurricane Ida enters Gulf, heads for U.S.
• Tragic cases could change juvenile sentencing
• China pledges $10B in Africa loans
• Pakistan rejects report its nukes not secured

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)