Airlines Cut 13,000 May Flights But Urge Passengers Not to Cancel

BBC Business reported Wednesday that airlines have axed roughly 13,000 flights worldwide this month as jet fuel shortage fears mount amid escalating Middle East hostilities. Despite the scale of the cuts, UK authorities and travel industry leaders are urging holidaymakers to hold their bookings.

Scale of Cuts Remains Limited for Now

The 13,000 eliminated flights represent just 1% of global air traffic scheduled for May. Aviation analytics firm Cirium identified Munich and Istanbul among the destinations absorbing the sharpest reductions. UK routes, however, are largely intact for now. The Department for Transport confirmed there is no current supply problem at British airports, noting that carriers purchase fuel well in advance and airports hold reserves.

Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade was direct in his assessment. He told BBC Business that no flights are being cancelled because of fuel shortages, and that carriers intend to run their full summer programmes through the May half-term period. Travel association Abta echoed that position, with chief executive Mark Tanzer stating that holidaymakers with bookings in the coming months should expect their trips to proceed normally.

Background: Prices More Than Doubled Since Conflict Began

Jet fuel prices have climbed sharply since hostilities in the Middle East intensified. One tonne of jet fuel was trading near $831 in late February. By early April it peaked at $1,838, a gain of more than 120%. Prices have since eased to around $1,500 per tonne, but remain well above pre-conflict levels. The International Energy Agency warned in mid-April that European jet fuel availability could tighten significantly by June if alternative supply sources are not secured.

Several major carriers have already adjusted their summer outlooks. Air France, KLM, Delta, Air Canada, and SAS have trimmed schedules. German group Lufthansa is pulling 20,000 flights from its calendar through late October. Its finance chief noted that contingency options include adding refuelling stops on longer routes where fuel cannot be loaded at the destination. Budget carriers easyJet and Wizz Air have taken a different stance, saying they do not anticipate cancellations.

Government Acts to Protect Slot Rights

The UK government has introduced a temporary regulatory change allowing airlines to cancel flights weeks ahead of departure without forfeiting valuable take-off and landing slots at congested airports. Carriers may also consolidate passengers from multiple flights on the same route to reduce fuel burn. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the situation as “evolving” but expressed confidence that most summer travellers would experience minimal disruption compared with last year.

Consumer group Which? noted that package holiday customers carry stronger legal protections if plans unravel, with tour operators holding statutory obligations to rebook or refund affected travellers.

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