Airlines Cut 13,000 May Flights as Jet Fuel Crisis Deepens

BBC Business reported Wednesday that airlines have pulled roughly 13,000 flights from their May schedules as jet fuel prices surge sharply amid ongoing Middle East conflict. The cuts amount to nearly two million seats removed from the global timetable in a single month.

Fuel Costs Behind the Schedule Cuts

Jet fuel prices have climbed steeply since hostilities in the region escalated. One tonne traded near $831 in late February. By early April that figure had more than doubled, hitting $1,838. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked a key supply corridor for oil and liquefied natural gas. The UK imports roughly 65% of its jet fuel, with a meaningful share ordinarily sourced from the Middle East. Carriers including Air France, KLM, Delta, Air Canada, and SAS have already trimmed summer timetables. German carrier Lufthansa announced plans to remove 20,000 flights through the end of October.

Which Routes and Airports Are Most Affected

Aviation analytics firm Cirium identified Istanbul and Munich as the cities with the steepest reductions. Other heavily affected airports include Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Frankfurt, Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam Schiphol. Despite those figures, the cuts represent approximately 1% of all global flights. Cirium data shows just 0.53% of UK-origin flights have been cancelled. Trade body Advantage Travel Partnership said routes to popular summer sun destinations from the UK remain intact.

Background: A Worsening Supply Outlook

Concern over fuel availability has been building for weeks. In mid-April, the head of the International Energy Agency warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages by June unless alternative supply sources are secured quickly. That warning has pushed governments to act. The UK government is preparing contingency measures allowing airlines to cancel flights at congested airports like Heathrow well in advance, without forfeiting valuable take-off and landing slots. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said over the weekend she was confident most summer travellers would experience conditions broadly similar to last year, while acknowledging the situation remains fluid.

What Travellers Should Know

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said carriers are assessing underperforming routes and consolidating where necessary, but stressed the overall impact remains marginal. Wizz Air’s chief executive noted that some European fares are actually falling as airlines compete for cautious travellers. Consumer group Which? Travel editor Rory Boland advised passengers to consider package holidays, which carry stronger legal protections if plans change.

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