The US nearly turned into a net crude exporter last week for the first time since World War Two, as shipments surged close to a record high to meet demand from Asian and European buyers scrambling to replace Middle East supplies cut by the Iran war.

The US and Israel’s war with Iran has triggered the largest ever disruption to the global energy market, as Iranian threats to shipping stopped around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies from transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Refiners in Asia and Europe that depend on those supplies have turned to alternative cargoes wherever possible, sharply boosting demand for US oil — the world’s largest producer.

However, analysts and traders say the US is rapidly approaching its export capacity.

Net imports of crude oil — the difference between imports and exports — narrowed to 66,000 barrels per day last week, the lowest on record in weekly data going back to 2001, according to US government figures released on Wednesday. Exports climbed to 5.2mn bpd, the highest in seven months.

On an annual basis, the US was last a net exporter of crude in 1943, the data showed.

Rising US crude exports highlight how Atlantic Basin and Asian buyers are reaching further for supply, with regional price differences offsetting higher shipping costs, said Rystad vice president of oil markets Janiv Shah.

Countries such as Greece have snapped up US crude for the first time in recent months.

About 2.4mn bpd — or 47 per cent of US exports last week — sailed towards Europe, according to ship tracking service Kpler. Around 1.49mn bpd, or 37 per cent, headed to Asia, up from 30 per cent a year ago.

Top buyers included the Netherlands, Japan, France, Germany and South Korea.

A vessel carrying 500,000 barrels of crude signalled it was en route to Turkey, which would mark the first US export to the country in at least a year, Kpler data showed.

Soaring Brent makes US crude more attractive

Imports into the US, meanwhile, dropped by more than 1mn bpd to 5.3mn bpd last week. The US still imports significant volumes as its refineries are designed to process heavier, more sour grades than the light, sweet crude it produces.

The disruption to Middle East supplies pushed the premium for Brent crude futures over US West Texas Intermediate to as much as $20.69 a barrel last month. This reduced US demand for imports while making US crude more attractive to refiners in Europe and Asia.

Physical crude cargoes for prompt delivery to Europe hit a record near $150 a barrel on Monday, while African grades also reached new peaks, according to LSEG data and traders.

Exports nearing capacity

US exports are likely to reach about 5.2mn bpd for April, Kpler analyst Matt Smith said, adding that shipments are pushing up against capacity limits on a monthly basis.

The US can export as much as 6mn bpd, traders and analysts said, citing limited pipeline capacity and vessel availability. Exports previously hit a record 5.6mn bpd in 2023, government data shows.

“The market is already testing the export ceiling with 5.2mn bpd exported last week. Every incremental barrel from here costs more in freight and logistics than the last,” said Bekzod Zukhritdinov, a Dubai-based oil trader.

A release of medium sour crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve could push more light, low sulphur US grades into export markets, Shah added. However, a shortage of tankers and rising freight rates could limit further growth.

About 80 empty supertankers were heading to the Gulf of Mexico as of Wednesday, likely to load crude through April and May, according to Vortexa analyst Rohit Rathod.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires in Abu Dhabi, issuing a protest note over attacks launched from Iraqi territory that have targeted Gulf states.

The ministry handed a formal note to Omar Abdulmajid Hamid Al Obaidi, condemning what it described as “continued attacks—despite a ceasefire — originating from Iraqi territory and carried out by armed factions, militias and groups affiliated with Iran.”

In the protest note, delivered by Ahmed Juma Al Marashda, Director of the Arab Affairs Department, the UAE warned that the continuation of such attacks by Iran and its proxies risks undermining international efforts to stabilise the region.

Abu Dhabi called on the Iraqi government to take “urgent and unconditional” action to halt and prevent all hostile acts originating from its territory. It urged Baghdad to act decisively in line with international and regional obligations.

The statement referenced United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, co-sponsored by 136 countries, which calls for an immediate cessation of provocations and the use of proxy forces against neighbouring states.

The UAE’s move follows similar diplomatic protests in recent weeks by other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and even the United States, which have also raised concerns over attacks linked to Iraqi-based militias.

Read more: Saudi Arabia summons Iraq envoy over drone threats from Iraqi territory

As geopolitical tensions reshape global trade, air transport corridors have emerged as critical lifelines for supply chain continuity. In an era where maritime routes face disruption and overland logistics are increasingly exposed to political risk, the strategic importance of air connectivity is being redefined. What was once considered a premium, time-sensitive mode of transport is now central to resilience planning in global supply chains.

Recent regional instability has underscored the fragility of traditional logistics networks. Disruptions in key maritime chokepoints, rerouting of shipping lanes, and delays at borders have forced businesses and governments to rethink how goods move across regions.

In this context, air corridors offer speed, flexibility, and reliability qualities that are indispensable when supply chains are under stress. The role of air transport extends beyond emergency response or high-value cargo. Increasingly, it is being integrated into broader supply chain strategies as a buffer against uncertainty.

Industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishable goods are particularly dependent on-air logistics, but even traditionally maritime-reliant sectors are now incorporating air freight options to ensure continuity during disruptions.

How air connectivity can sustain trade flows

The UAE provides a compelling example of how air connectivity can sustain trade flows during periods of heightened regional tension. Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad Airways have demonstrated operational agility by dynamically rerouting flights, maintaining cargo capacity, and ensuring continuity of critical supply chains. Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport have continued to function as global cargo hubs, facilitating the movement of essential goods across continents even as surrounding routes face uncertainty.

The UAE’s ability to keep air corridors open and efficient has reinforced its role as a trusted logistics gateway between East and West. However, the resilience offered by air transport corridors is not without challenges. Airspace restrictions during geopolitical crises, rising fuel costs, and capacity constraints can limit the effectiveness of these routes.

The closure or rerouting of airspace due to security concerns can significantly increase transit times and costs, creating new layers of complexity for supply chain management. As a result, resilience is not simply about shifting modes of transport, but about building adaptable, multi-layered logistics systems.

This is where strategic planning and infrastructure investment become crucial. Countries that invest in advanced aviation infrastructure, integrated logistics hubs, and digital tracking systems are better positioned to leverage air corridors effectively. The ability to seamlessly connect air, sea, and land transport through multimodal logistics networks enhances both efficiency and resilience.

Air transport corridors

For the Gulf region, air transport corridors represent a strategic advantage. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the region serves as a natural hub for global connectivity. Its world-class aviation infrastructure and strong logistics ecosystem enable it to act as a stabilizing force in times of disruption. By maintaining open and efficient air routes, the region plays a vital role in sustaining global trade flows even during periods of heightened uncertainty.

Moreover, the integration of digital technologies is transforming how air corridors are managed. Real-time data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive logistics are enabling more responsive and adaptive supply chains. These technologies allow stakeholders to anticipate disruptions, optimise routing decisions, and improve coordination across the supply chain. Resilience in modern supply chains is no longer about avoiding disruption altogether it is about the capacity to adapt, recover, and continue operating under adverse conditions.

Air transport corridors, when combined with strategic foresight and technological innovation, provide a powerful mechanism for achieving this resilience.

As global tensions continue to influence the movement of goods, the importance of agile and diversified logistics networks will only grow. Policymakers and businesses alike must recognise that resilience is now a core component of competitiveness. Investing in air connectivity, strengthening international cooperation, and embracing digital transformation will be key to navigating the uncertainties of the global trade environment.

In a world where disruption is increasingly the norm, the ability to keep goods moving swiftly, securely, and reliably will define the future of global supply chains.

Areej A Siddiqui and Dr Sania Ashraf are with Dubai Business School, University of Dubai and Tahnoon Saif is the CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub.

Private schools and higher education institutions in Dubai and Sharjah will resume in-person learning from April 20, as local education authorities move to implement the UAE Ministry of Education’s nationwide directive.

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that campuses will reopen from the start of next week, subject to strict safety approvals.

“Private schools and higher education institutions in Dubai will resume on-site learning from April 20,” KHDA said. “Approvals will be based on each institution’s readiness and full compliance with health and safety measures issued by the relevant authorities, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.”

The authority added that the return will be carefully managed, with each institution assessed individually before students are allowed back on campus.

In Sharjah, the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) confirmed a similar timeline across the emirate.

“The resumption of in-person education for all educational institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah [is] effective 20 April 2026,” the authority said in a circular.

The coordinated announcements follow the Ministry of Education’s earlier confirmation that all public and private schools, nurseries, and kindergartens across the UAE will return to in-person learning from April 20, after weeks of distance learning.

Read more: UAE Ministry of Education announces return to in-person learning for April 20

Authorities have emphasised that the reopening will be phased and safety-led. Schools must demonstrate full preparedness, including staff training, facility readiness, and updated health and security protocols before reopening.

Flexibility also remains in place. Under the ministry’s framework, private schools can implement hybrid learning models where needed, depending on operational readiness and student requirements. However, schools must ensure teaching quality is maintained and avoid overburdening staff.

Education authorities across the UAE have also stressed that institutions must remain ready to switch back to alternative learning modes if required, ensuring continuity without disruption.

The April 20 return is set to see thousands of students across Dubai and Sharjah head back to classrooms, marking a significant step towards normalising the academic calendar after an extended period of remote learning.

Read more: UAE ends distance learning, schools to reopen on April 20

Students across the UAE will return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, following a new directive from the Ministry of Education, marking the end of more than a month of distance learning.

“The Ministry of Education announces the resumption of in-person learning for all enrolled children, students, educational staff, and administrative staff in public and private nurseries, kindergartens, and schools effective Monday, 20 April 2026,” the ministry said in its latest statement.

The decision follows the completion of school readiness plans across the country.

“This follows schools’ completion of the necessary readiness and preparation plans, including facility preparedness, training of educational and administrative staff, and updating safety and security procedures, thereby reinforcing a safe and reassuring learning environment for students and their families,” the statement added.

Private schools will be given flexibility to implement hybrid models where needed, depending on operational requirements and readiness levels.

“Private schools will have the flexibility to implement the hybrid rotational model when needed, in accordance with approved regulations and under the supervision of local education authorities,” the ministry said.

However, authorities stressed that teaching quality and staff workloads must be carefully managed under any hybrid approach.

“Private schools implementing the hybrid rotational model must organise staff deployment in a manner that supports continuity of learning and does not require assigning the same teacher to deliver both in-person and remote instruction simultaneously,” the statement said, adding that this is aimed at “preserving education quality and balancing professional workloads for teaching staff.”

The ministry also emphasised that schools must remain prepared for any potential shifts back to alternative learning models if required.

“Educational institutions will remain prepared to transition to alternative learning modes when needed, ensuring continuity of education with flexibility and smooth implementation,” it said.

The return to classrooms comes after schools moved to distance learning in early March amid regional developments, with the arrangement extended several times before this latest confirmation.

Attention now turns to local regulators, including the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), to outline how the return will be implemented on the ground.

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