David Morken
Co-Founder, CEO, & Chairman

Bandwidth is positioned at the center of global cloud communications powering mission-critical voice, messaging, emergency services and AI for enterprises worldwide. In this presentation, we will walk through how Bandwidth is positioned at the center of global cloud communications, powering mission-critical voice, messaging, emergency services and AI for enterprises worldwide.

Our story is anchored in 3 pillars. First, we’re a global communications leader in a large growing market, powering mission-critical voice, messaging and emergency services for some of the world’s largest and most demanding enterprises. Second, we are orchestrating AI, voice and messaging across cloud communications through our open award-winning Maestro platform. Third, we have a highly attractive business model, delivering profitability and capital structure strength that powers durable long-term growth. These pillars define how we compete and how we create long-term value.

Bandwidth powers mission-critical communications across cloud platforms. We combine global infrastructure, software orchestration and AI enablement, giving enterprises the performance, reliability and flexibility they require. This is not just connectivity. This is intelligent communications at global scale.

The market opportunity ahead of us continues to expand. Our total addressable market is projected to grow from $99 billion in 2024 to $162 billion by 2029 with a 10% compound annual growth rate. That secular growth is a tailwind across our 3 customer categories: Global voice plans, our largest customer category powering the leaders in unified communications, Contact Center as a Service and voice AI platforms is expected to grow above the market growth rate of 8%. Enterprise voice, our smallest and fastest-growing category, providing voice-powered customer experiences for the Global 2000 is expected to grow more than

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi remained open Monday for scheduled operations, handling a limited number of commercial flights as the UAE’s second major hub continues its gradual recovery from weeks of airspace disruptions linked to broader Middle East tensions.

Also known as Abu Dhabi International Airport or AUH, the facility operated with low delay levels early in the day, according to real-time tracking services. Passengers with confirmed tickets were advised to proceed, though authorities urged travelers to verify status directly with airlines before heading to the terminal. Access remained restricted to ticketed passengers only as a safety measure.

Etihad Airways, the airport’s primary carrier, continued a scaled-back schedule serving approximately 80 destinations worldwide. Monday’s departures included services to Addis Ababa, Amman, Bangkok, Cairo, Hanoi, Malé, Phuket and other regional and long-haul points. Some flights showed minor delays, but overall activity stayed well below pre-crisis volumes, with roughly 450 flights scheduled across the day and an on-time departure forecast around 68%.

The airport’s official website and flight information displays confirmed ongoing operations as of Monday afternoon local time. No fresh full suspension was announced for April 6, unlike temporary halts reported at nearby Dubai International Airport earlier in the week due to separate security incidents. Weather conditions in Abu Dhabi supported normal ground operations, with very low and decreasing delay status reported.

Disruptions trace back to late February when escalating regional conflict involving Iran prompted airspace restrictions across parts of the Gulf. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports saw partial or temporary closures, forcing airlines to reroute, cancel or operate narrow-body aircraft on select corridors. Etihad gradually resumed limited commercial services from March 6, expanding slowly through April while prioritizing safety assessments.

Travelers faced challenges including rebooking difficulties and stranded passengers in the initial weeks. Many carriers, including Etihad, offered flexible change policies and travel waivers for affected routes. By early April, operations stabilized at roughly 60% capacity at major UAE hubs, with further recovery expected as airspace permissions normalize.

Airport authorities emphasized that passengers should not travel to Zayed International unless contacted by their airline or holding confirmed bookings. Terminal access controls remained in place to manage crowd levels and security. The AUH app and website provided live arrivals, departures and status updates, while Etihad’s flight status page allowed quick checks.

Facilities at the modern terminal, which opened in phases in recent years, continued normal passenger services for those cleared to fly. Amenities such as lounges, dining and retail operated on adjusted hours tied to the reduced flight schedule. Ground handling and baggage services adapted to lower volumes, though some travelers reported longer processing times due to staffing aligned with limited operations.

Regional airlines like Air Arabia maintained select flights from Abu Dhabi alongside Etihad. International carriers including IndiGo, Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Jordanian operated limited routes, with some services showing cancellations or rerouting. Real-time trackers indicated about 15 cancellations Monday, a notable drop from peak disruption periods when thousands of flights were affected across the Gulf.

The ongoing situation reflects the interconnected nature of Gulf aviation. Abu Dhabi’s airport serves as a key hub for connections to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, but reduced capacity has shifted some traffic or forced longer routings via alternative gateways. Cargo operations continued with priority on essential goods, helping maintain supply chains despite passenger limitations.

Travel advisories from multiple sources urged caution. Visitors planning trips to or through Abu Dhabi were told to monitor airline communications closely, as schedules could change with short notice due to evolving airspace conditions. Hotels and tour operators in the capital offered flexible cancellation policies for guests impacted by flight changes.

Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator managing Zayed International and other emirate facilities, has worked closely with civil aviation authorities to restore normalcy. The airport’s long-term growth ambitions, including its role as a premium hub, remain intact, though short-term focus stays on safety and phased resumption. Passenger traffic had shown strong pre-crisis growth, with double-digit increases reported in earlier quarters of 2025.

For those flying Monday, low delay indexes suggested smoother processing than in recent weeks. However, experts recommended arriving early, carrying digital copies of documents and preparing for potential gate changes or boarding adjustments. Families, unaccompanied minors and passengers needing assistance received priority where possible.

Broader UAE aviation recovery includes Dubai International, which also operated on a reduced but improving schedule despite occasional incidents. Sharjah and other smaller airports followed similar patterns. The situation has highlighted the resilience of Gulf carriers while exposing vulnerabilities in regional airspace management during geopolitical stress.

International reactions varied, with some governments issuing updated travel guidance for the UAE. Airlines outside the region adjusted networks, suspending or rerouting services until conditions stabilize. Mediation efforts and diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalation could accelerate full recovery in coming weeks.

Zayed International Airport’s modern design, with its expansive terminals and advanced technology, has helped manage the constrained environment efficiently. Features like contactless processing and digital wayfinding minimized friction for operating flights. The airport continues promoting itself as the Middle East’s fastest-growing hub, with infrastructure ready for higher volumes once restrictions lift.

Travelers with upcoming bookings were encouraged to check Etihad.com or their airline’s app frequently. Rebooking options and waivers remained available for many affected itineraries. Those already in Abu Dhabi or planning ground transfers between emirates could use road options like the Airport Express service linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which operated normally.

As the day progressed Monday, flight tracking sites showed steady activity with arrivals from key cities and departures heading to global destinations. While not yet at full strength, the airport’s openness provided reassurance to passengers and the wider travel industry after prolonged uncertainty.

The situation at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport underscores how quickly global hubs can adapt while highlighting the need for contingency planning in volatile times. Authorities and airlines continue prioritizing safety, with hopes for fuller schedules as regional stability improves.

Passengers should treat Monday’s operations as a snapshot subject to rapid change. Checking official sources — the airport website, airline apps and live trackers — remains the best way to ensure smooth travel from one of the UAE’s premier gateways.

Private equity groups agreed buyouts worth $172bn in the first quarter of the year

The value of acquisitions by private equity firms declined by more than a third during the opening quarter of the year, with dealmakers cautioning that apprehensions over AI’s influence on software companies and the continuing Middle Eastern conflict could accelerate the slowdown.

During the three months to March, private equity firms completed transactions worth $172bn (£129.8bn), representing a 36 per cent fall from the previous quarter according to Dealogic.

It also marked an eight per cent decline from the corresponding period in the prior year.

Buyout professionals and advisers attributed the reduction to firms postponing deal signings amid the persistent market volatility triggered by the Middle Eastern conflict.

Meanwhile, mounting concerns about AI’s implications for software groups have also dampened expectations that private equity is rebounding following its extended downturn, as reported by City AM.

Software, amongst the buyout sector’s more lucrative areas, has encountered investor exodus in response to swift AI advancement, which has compressed returns.

Attitudes towards software have also deteriorated within the private credit sector, amid increasing investor worries that the software and technology businesses comprising a substantial proportion of the industry’s lending portfolios were particularly susceptible to being supplanted or disrupted by AI.

Speaking to the Financial Times, the head of a large European buyout group, said: “We’re in one of the most turbulent periods that I can remember.

“Things are grinding down quite quickly now in terms of activity.”

The executive cautioned that the most severe economic consequences of the conflict have yet to materialise, while the potential disruption to software firms’ business models could have an even greater bearing on dealmaking over the coming months.

Within the private credit sector, investors have retreated towards the security of liquid assets, such as equities and bonds, while others have sought refuge in cash and money market funds.

The substantial quarter-on-quarter decline in the value of buyout deals follows a resurgence in the second half of last year, with global deal value climbing to over $900bn in 2025, propelled by a handful of megadeals.

These included the $23.7bn acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance, spearheaded by Sycamore Partners, while Aligned Data Centres was acquired by a consortium of investors for approximately $40bn.

However, the early-year rebound from a period of volatility was abruptly halted by the conflict, also extinguishing the optimism the industry had harboured regarding the state of private equity in 2026.

The value of global private equity exits in the first three months likewise fell to $162bn, representing a decline of one-third from the preceding quarter.

This also dragged the value of global private equity exits back to levels comparable with the same period the previous year.

Certain funds are hesitant to reduce the valuations of their portfolio companies, many of which were acquired during the peak valuation surge between 2020 and 2021, while some institutional investors have grown wary of the market due to its underperformance compared to public markets, which have benefited from strong-performing AI stocks.

Bristol is about to join the big league of British live entertainment, with the city’s forthcoming Aviva Arena setting its sights on staging the Brit Awards within its first years of operation.

The 20,000-capacity indoor venue, which is taking shape on the historic Filton Airfield in north Bristol, the very site where every British-built Concorde rolled off the production line, is on track to open in late 2028. Its backers believe it will plug a glaring gap in the country’s events infrastructure, given that the south-west remains the only English region without a major arena.

The project sits at the heart of a broader development called YTL Live, which will occupy the three vast Brabazon Hangars once used to assemble supersonic aircraft. The central and largest hangar will house the arena itself, flanked by conference and exhibition spaces designed to keep the complex busy well beyond gig nights. Organisers expect the venue to stage upwards of 120 major events each year, generating an estimated £1 billion for the wider Bristol economy over its first decade.

Andrew Billingham, chief executive of the Aviva Arena, said the ambition extends well beyond regional pride. The venue wants a place on the global touring circuit, and the Brit Awards sit firmly in its crosshairs following the ceremony’s well-received stint in Manchester earlier this year.

The arena’s specification suggests those ambitions are not merely fanciful. Plans include 20 state-of-the-art dressing rooms, extensive production facilities and what is billed as Europe’s largest services yard, with capacity for up to 60 touring lorries at once. A new railway station, Bristol Brabazon, is due to open this autumn, giving the site a direct public transport link that many rival venues lack.

Behind the project is YTL, a Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate and the largest Malaysian investor in the United Kingdom, whose British portfolio already includes Wessex Water. The group acquired the Filton site roughly a decade ago with a vision that went far beyond housebuilding, it set about creating an entire mixed-use community encompassing homes, workplaces and leisure. Construction of the arena is expected to support more than 2,000 jobs, with a further 500 permanent roles once the doors open.

For Bristol, a city whose creative economy already punches well above its weight, the arrival of a venue of this scale represents a significant commercial moment. If Billingham and his team can deliver on the Brit Awards pledge, it would mark the latest step in the ceremony’s journey away from its traditional London base, and confirm that the south-west finally has a stage to match its cultural ambition.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

This article was written by

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If you are a frequent traveller or live in a shared accommodation, bed bugs are likely to be a problem that you will face. The first step to conquering it, is knowing what it is.

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of sleeping people and animals. The good thing is that if you know what to look for and what to do, you can tackle a bed bug problem.

What Are Bed Bugs and Why Do They Spread?

Bed bugs are small, flat bugs that bite humans, likely when they are asleep. Bed bugs are mostly found on or near where people sleep, such as on mattresses, inside bed frames, near sofas, or behind wall covering. Bed bugs are very good at hiding, and that makes them very difficult to detect at first.

Bed bugs can spread quickly because they can travel undetected. They can attach themselves to luggage, clothes, and used furniture. This allows them to be transported to people’s homes without detection. This problem is much more likely to happen in crowded cities and communal living environments.

Common Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Identifying bed bugs as early as possible can stop a potential infestation. Some early warning signs can include:

• Small red bites on the skin, often appearing in lines
• Tiny dark spots on bedding or mattresses
• Shed skins or eggs in hidden areas
• A slight musty smell in the room

If you experience these signs, you must take action as soon as possible to stop the possible spread of bed bugs.

Why DIY Methods Often Fall Short

Many people try things like cleaning, sprays, and other home remedies to get rid of bed bug infestations. Even though some of these things may kill some of the bugs, it won’t get rid of the infestation as a whole. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding in spaces that are hard for people to see.

For example, bed bugs might hide in the small gaps of the bed frame, and even in the walls of your home. DIY methods for bed bug treatments often fail to provide long-lasting solutions, as even missing a few bug eggs can cause infestation to come back.

Professional Bed Bug Control and Heat Treatment Explained

In large cities such as London, due to communal living, widespread travel, and compact environments, the incidence of bed bug infestations is alarmingly high. Simple DIY methods are virtually useless, as infestations can quickly spread to surrounding apartments, hotels, and other public venues.

This leads many people to begin seeking out structured solutions. During this stage, they often search for services such as bedbugs control in London, which focus on comprehensive inspections and treatments of all the concealed areas in order to ensure the problem does not resurface.

One of the most successful treatments available to control bedbugs control is known as a heat treatment. This method raises the temperature of the entire room to a degree that exterminates all bedbugs and bedbug eggs. It works even in furniture, mattresses, and walls where bed bugs may be hiding.

When it comes to dealing with stubborn bed bug infestations, many consider bed bug heat treatment to be one of the most reliable, chemical-free, and fast options.

Simple Steps to Prevent Bed Bugs

The best way to avoid dealing with the stress of a bed bug infestation is to avoid getting infested in the first place. Some steps you can take to avoid bedbugs include the following:

• Checking beds and furniture when traveling
• Washing clothes after returning from trips
• Inspecting used furniture carefully
• Keeping your home clean and reducing clutter
• Using protective mattress covers

Each one of these steps keeps you one step further away from bringing hidden bed bugs into your home.

Final Thoughts

Bedbugs are a serious issue, but with the right knowledge and strategies, they can be managed. Knowing where and how bedbugs are spreading, recognizing the problem early, and knowing what the best treatments are can help keep them under control.

Cleaning the area may help to avoid the issue in the early stages, but if the infestation is serious, then you may need to look to other options. The more you know, the better you can manage the issue and the more you will be able to protect your home.