Airlines Cut 13,000 Flights in May as Jet Fuel Crisis Deepens
Airlines have axed roughly 13,000 flights worldwide in May, BBC Business reported Wednesday, as soaring jet fuel prices tied to the ongoing Middle East conflict ripple through the global aviation industry. Aviation analytics firm Cirium found that nearly two million passenger seats have been removed from schedules this month alone.
Istanbul and Munich Lead the Flight Cuts
The heaviest reductions have fallen on routes through Istanbul and Munich, according to Cirium data. Overall, May cancellations represent roughly 1% of global flights. The Advantage Travel Partnership, the UK travel agents’ trade body, said UK departures to major summer sun destinations remain intact. Chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said described the cancellations as “marginal” and encouraged travellers to continue booking with confidence.
Several major carriers have already trimmed their summer programs. Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Delta, and SAS have each reduced schedules. German aviation group Lufthansa went further, announcing plans to eliminate 20,000 flights between now and late October. Not every airline is responding with cuts, however. Wizz Air’s chief executive noted that some European fares are actually falling as carriers chase hesitant travellers.
A Rapid Rise in Fuel Costs
Jet fuel prices have more than doubled in just a matter of weeks. One tonne was trading near $831 in late February before surging to a peak of $1,838 by early April. The proximate cause is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil and liquefied natural gas that normally supplies a significant share of Europe’s aviation fuel. The UK imports around 65% of its jet fuel, much of it historically sourced from the Middle East. With that supply route disrupted, alternatives must be found quickly. The head of the International Energy Agency warned in mid-April that Europe could face outright jet fuel shortages by June without urgent action.
UK Government Moves to Protect Airline Slots
British authorities are stepping in to cushion carriers from the worst commercial fallout. The government is preparing measures that would allow airlines to cancel flights at congested airports, including Heathrow, well ahead of schedule without forfeiting valuable takeoff and landing slots. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said over the weekend that she expected most summer travellers to have an experience broadly comparable to last year, while acknowledging the situation continues to evolve.
The UK’s airline trade body confirmed carriers are currently operating normally and face no immediate fuel supply interruption, though industry experts caution that delivery disruptions could generate shortages within weeks if the Hormuz standoff persists.
Read Next: What the Strait of Hormuz Closure Means for Global Oil Markets
