Thai Lion Air is significantly reducing operations on more than 15 routes between June and September 2026, attributing the cuts to soaring jet fuel costs driven by the ongoing US war on Iran. The affected destinations include popular tourist spots such as China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Nepal.
Phuket-Singapore Route Suspended
The Phuket-Singapore route, a favourite among travellers, will be completely suspended from 3 June to 1 August. Service is set to resume in August with only two flights per week, a reduction from the previous four weekly flights.
Impact of Middle East Tensions
The airline stated that the adjustments are largely due to the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East on the aviation industry. Fuel prices have surged dramatically since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The price of Jet A-1 aviation fuel has more than doubled from pre-conflict levels, rising from around $80 per barrel to over $240 per barrel in some cases.
Fuel typically accounts for approximately 30 per cent of a flight's operating costs, forcing airlines to reduce frequencies and temporarily suspend routes, particularly medium- and long-haul services.
European Airlines Also Affected
Europe's aviation industry has warned that a prolonged Iran war could disrupt supply chains, raise costs, and slow aircraft production. Dutch airline KLM, part of the Air France-KLM group, announced it will not resume flights to various Middle Eastern destinations before mid-July. Its services to and from Dubai are suspended until at least 2 August, while flights to Riyadh and Dammam remain grounded until at least 12 July.
Indian Carriers Seek Relief
Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have asked state-run oil companies to delay a planned increase in domestic jet fuel (ATF) prices, citing the sharp rise in aviation costs due to the Iran war. Bloomberg reported that state-owned oil companies such as Indian Oil Corp., Hindustan Petroleum Corp., and Bharat Petroleum Corp were considering raising domestic ATF prices by as much as 25 per cent from June.
Passengers travelling via Thai Lion Air are advised to monitor their bookings and check directly with the airline, as schedules may change further depending on fuel prices and travel demand.
