Airlines Cut 13,000 Flights in May as Fuel Costs Climb
Airlines around the world have slashed roughly 13,000 flights from their May schedules, BBC Business reported Wednesday, as surging jet fuel prices squeeze carriers already navigating a volatile geopolitical environment.
The cuts amount to close to two million seats removed from sale across the month. The timing raises concerns for travellers in the United Kingdom, where school half-term holidays fall in the final days of May.
Middle East Tensions Drive Fuel Costs Higher
The primary driver behind elevated jet fuel prices is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Oil markets have remained unsettled as fighting persists, pushing energy costs higher for carriers with little ability to absorb the shock quickly.
Jet fuel typically represents the single largest operating expense for airlines. When prices spike sharply, carriers face a difficult choice between absorbing the losses and reducing capacity to protect margins.
The pressure is particularly acute now. Airlines had been counting on strong summer demand to rebuild profitability following years of post-pandemic recovery.
Istanbul and Munich Bear the Heaviest Cuts
Data compiled by aviation analytics firm Cirium shows the reductions are not evenly spread across the network. Istanbul and Munich have recorded the steepest declines in scheduled flights among major European hubs.
Both cities serve as critical connecting points for long-haul and regional traffic. Concentrated cuts at those airports could create ripple effects across wider European itineraries throughout the month.
Why Airlines Usually Resist Cancellations
Carriers are historically reluctant to cancel scheduled flights. Doing so risks forfeiting coveted take-off and landing slots at congested airports, a competitive disadvantage that can persist for years.
Under contingency arrangements currently in place in the United Kingdom, however, airlines would be protected from losing those slots if they reduce schedules due to extraordinary circumstances. That regulatory cushion appears to have made carriers more willing to act decisively this time.
What Travellers Should Expect
Passengers booked on May flights, particularly around the half-term break, face an elevated risk of schedule changes or outright cancellations. Travellers are advised to monitor their bookings closely and check airline communications regularly.
The situation remains fluid. Oil prices pulled back modestly after the United States paused its Strait of Hormuz operation known as Project Freedom, following reported progress toward a deal with Iran. Any sustained easing in Middle East tensions could relieve some pressure on fuel costs in the weeks ahead.
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