Syria recorded nearly 12,000 overflights in May after airlines altered their routes across the region to avoid airspaces affected by recent regional developments.
The Middle East recorded sustained merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the first quarter with 196 deals valued at $23.3 billion being announced compared to 207 deals worth $31.3 billion last year. UAE accounted for 33 transactions valued at $2.2 billion, down from 52 deals in Q1 2025, said a report.
The Middle East conflict has disrupted hydrogen-based supply chains critical to fertilisers, refining and chemicals, exposing vulnerabilities. While global hydrogen demand exceeded 100 million tonnes in 2025, high costs and infrastructure gaps continue to hinder low-emissions hydrogen growth.
Boards across Middle East are emerging as the most forward-looking and tech-focused globally, leading the world on AI governance. However skills and subject matter expertise remain the region’s biggest barrier to better board decision-making, said an expert.
US President Donald Trump said the United States could restart the war or become the "guardian of the Middle East" and receive 20% of the region's revenues if Iran fails to reach an acceptable agreement on its nuclear programme.
Global LNG exports fell to about 33 million tonnes in April 2026, the lowest in nearly two years, as Middle East tanker disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran impacted shipping flows.
Global air cargo demand rose 4% year-on-year in April, supported by robust Asia-linked trade flows, despite severe disruption at major Gulf hubs from conflict in the Middle East that reshaped trade routes and constrain capacity on key corridors, said a report.
The global economic outlook has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, according to the latest edition of the World Economic Forum’s Chief Economists’ Outlook published on Thursday (May 28).
Total global air passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 3.4% in April this year, compared to April 2025, data from International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.
Dubai budget carrier flydubai have announced the launch of a new interline agreement, designed to enhance international connectivity and provide passengers with seamless access to an expanded network of destinations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the GCC.
