Global airlines have removed around two million seats from their May schedules, as fears over jet fuel availability begin to affect passengers and route planning across major markets.
The pressure follows the disruption to energy flows caused by the war involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. The crisis has pushed up jet fuel prices and forced carriers to reassess how much capacity they can safely and profitably operate.
According to aviation data company Cirium, cited by the Financial Times, the number of available seats in May has fallen from 132 million to 130 million in the space of a few weeks. Around 12,000 flights have also been removed from schedules.
Fuel prices intensify pressure on airlines
The rise in jet fuel prices has become one of the most serious challenges facing airlines ahead of the summer travel season.
IATA’s latest jet fuel monitor shows the global average price at $181.22 per barrel, up 1% from the previous week. The increase follows months of volatility in energy markets, with airlines facing higher operating costs and growing uncertainty over future supply.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis. The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and disruption there has added pressure to global fuel markets at a time when supply chains were already strained.
Flights cancelled and aircraft swapped
Airlines have responded by cutting routes, consolidating flights and, in some cases, replacing larger aircraft with smaller ones to reduce fuel use.
Lufthansa Group has announced one of the biggest reductions, removing 20,000 short-haul flights from its schedule through October. The company said the move would cut unprofitable services across its European network while protecting long-haul connections through its main hubs.
Other European and Asian carriers have also reduced capacity or adjusted routes, particularly where fuel availability and higher costs make operations more difficult.
The disruption is also affecting Gulf airports, which have traditionally served as major hubs for long-haul connections between Europe and Asia. Restrictions and delays in the region have placed additional pressure on international networks.
Aviation analyst John Strickland told the Financial Times that European airlines would be reluctant to send aircraft to Asia via affected routes without confidence that enough fuel would be available for the return journey.
Brussels prepares guidance
The European Commission has warned airlines and member states to prepare for all scenarios as uncertainty over jet fuel supplies continues.
Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said no one could know how long the situation would last, adding that the priority was to prepare for all eventualities.
The Commission is expected to issue guidance this week covering fuel-saving measures, passenger rights, refuelling rules and the possible use of alternative fuel specifications.
Europe faces limited reserves
Europe produces much of its own jet fuel through refineries but still depends on imports, including from the Middle East.
The United Kingdom is seen as particularly exposed because it is one of Europe’s largest net importers of jet fuel and has limited strategic reserves. Analysts have warned that UK stocks could fall to critically low levels if disruption continues.
The risk has increased following the closure of refineries in recent years, which has reduced domestic production capacity.
Governments are now examining emergency measures to manage fuel use and protect essential routes. In Britain, authorities have allowed airlines more flexibility to combine passengers from different flights onto fewer aircraft, a move designed to reduce fuel consumption but criticised by consumer groups.
A summer of uncertainty
The crisis has raised the prospect of further flight cuts and higher ticket prices during the peak summer travel period.
Industry analysts say the problem is not limited to cost. The bigger concern is whether fuel will be available in the right places at the right time, particularly at smaller airports and on secondary routes.
For passengers, that means the coming weeks could bring more cancellations, route changes and fare increases as airlines try to protect their schedules in a highly uncertain market.
Source: iefimerida.gr