Airlines worldwide have cancelled about 13,000 flights scheduled for May as surging jet fuel prices,triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict, force carriers to scale back operations.
New industry data indicates that nearly two million seats have been removed from schedules this month alone, with the reductions coming just ahead of the United Kingdom’s busy half-term holiday period later in May.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, cities such as Istanbul, Turkey, and Munich, Germany, have recorded the steepest cuts in flight numbers, reflecting broader capacity adjustments across Europe’s aviation network.
Airlines typically avoid cancelling flights because of the risk of losing valuable airport slots. However, new contingency measures introduced by the UK government mean carriers can temporarily reduce services at congested hubs like Heathrow Airport without forfeiting those slots.
The disruption is closely tied to the sharp rise in jet fuel costs. Prices have more than doubled since the outbreak of the conflict.
A tonne of jet fuel, which traded at $831 in late February, surged to $1,838 by early April.
While airlines say there are no immediate fuel supply shortages, analysts warn that the situation could deteriorate quickly.
Concerns are mounting that disruptions linked to tensions involving Iran could affect deliveries in the coming weeks.
Several major carriers have already adjusted their operations and pricing strategies.
Airlines including Air France and KLM of France and the Netherlands respectively, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines of the United States, and Scandinavian carrier SAS have all reduced their summer flight schedules.
Germany’s Lufthansa Group also confirmed earlier this month that it plans to cut 20,000 flights between now and the end of October as part of its response to rising operational costs.
Energy security concerns are also growing. In mid-April, the head of the International Energy Agency, which advises 32 member countries, warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages by June if alternative supplies are not secured.
In response, the UK government is rolling out measures to ease pressure on airlines. These include allowing carriers to cancel flights well in advance at major airports without jeopardizing their future access to take-off and landing slots.
Speaking over the weekend, UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she remained optimistic about the summer travel season.
“There was currently no disruption to the supply of jet fuel, but “this clearly is an evolving situation”,” she stated, expressing confidence that most travellers would experience journeys similar to last year.
The UK relies heavily on imported jet fuel, sourcing around 65% of its supply from abroad, with a significant share typically coming from the Middle East.
However, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for oil and liquefied natural gas, has disrupted those flows, intensifying concerns over supply stability in the weeks ahead.
