As the Middle East conflict continues to drive a surge in jet fuel prices, a growing number of airlines have been forced to cancel flights during the May half-term, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The crisis, exacerbated by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and gas passes—has led to a global fuel shortage, prompting carriers to adjust their schedules to conserve resources.
Scale of Cancellations
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, airlines have cancelled 13,000 flights worldwide from May schedules. In the United Kingdom alone, 1,468 flights have been axed at major airports, with smaller airports also feeling the impact. London Heathrow has seen 846 flights cancelled, resulting in the loss of 151,198 seats. Birmingham has reduced its schedule by 200 flights (21,880 seats), while Glasgow has cut 86 flights and Manchester 60. In total, 410 routes have been affected across major UK airports.
Airlines Affected
The following airlines have announced cancellations or schedule adjustments for May and beyond:
- Lufthansa: Axed 20,000 short-haul flights between May and October, conserving approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel.
- Turkish Airlines: Cancelled over 3,000 flights, with some routes suspended until late October 2026 or March 2027.
- Air Asia X: Cancelled 10 percent of its May flights.
- Air Canada: Suspended routes including Guadalajara-Montréal and Fort McMurray-Vancouver, citing doubled jet fuel prices.
- Air China: Cut domestic and international flights, though specific routes remain unclear.
- Air Transat: Reduced schedule by 6 percent between May and October, affecting Caribbean and Cuba routes.
- Air New Zealand: Cut 70 Nelson-Wellington flights, 40 to/from Christchurch, and 30 to/from Auckland in May and June.
- Asiana Airlines: Cut 22 flights between April and July.
- Cathay Pacific: Scaled back 2 percent of scheduled services from mid-May to end of June; subsidiary HK Express cut 6 percent.
- Delta: Suspended New York-Memphis, St Louis, and Houston routes until 8 September; Detroit-Sacramento until March 2027; Boston-Nassau until September.
- KLM: Adjusted schedule due to rising kerosene prices; flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam cancelled until at least 28 June.
- Norse Atlantic: Axed London Gatwick-Los Angeles route due to high fuel costs.
- Qantas: Cut 88 flights from Melbourne-Sydney, 50 from Sydney-Brisbane, 31 from Brisbane-Melbourne, and other routes from 18 May, with disruption until June.
- SAS: Cancelled almost 1,200 flights in May.
- Thai Airways: Reduced or cancelled flights on 46 routes across Asia and Europe in May.
- United Airlines: Slashed routes to Europe, Japan, and the Middle East, affecting May holidays.
- Vietjet: Adjusted flight schedule for May and June.
- Vietnam Airlines: Cut 23 domestic flights per week from April, pending government relief on jet fuel environmental levy.
The ongoing fuel crisis raises concerns about further cancellations during the summer months, as airlines struggle to manage costs and supply. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and alternative arrangements.
