Every time you open the news or scroll through social media at the moment, there seems to be another story about the jet fuel crisis, whether it’s airlines cancelling flights, adding fuel surcharges, speculation about shortages, or people worrying about their upcoming trips. Despite the headlines, the overall picture remains reassuring.
Here’s everything you need to know about whether your trip may be affected.
In this post:
Jet Fuel Prices Are Rising
Fuel is one of the main operating expenses for any airline, and the global price of jet fuel has increased substantially since the end of February. The cost per barrel has increased from £63-£67 to as much as £111-£148, which is a major cost issue for airlines, given that a substantial share of operating expenses goes on fuel.
At the centre of the price increases is the conflict in the Middle East and, more specifically, the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz. Around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas passes through it, including a large proportion of the crude oil that is later refined into jet fuel.
A Fuel Crisis in Europe
European airlines are particularly affected by rising fuel prices because they rely on imported jet fuel, with 75% coming from overseas. But could this affect summer travel?
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said:
“The IEA’s assessment of potential jet fuel shortages is sobering. We have also estimated that by the end of May we could start to see some cancellations in Europe for lack of jet fuel. This is already happening in parts of Asia. Along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines, it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary, including for slot relief.”
The European Commission has already stepped in with a coordinated response. This includes working with member states, fuel suppliers, and airlines to secure alternative fuel sources, optimise distribution, and make sure that existing supplies are used as efficiently as possible. There are also discussions around releasing strategic fuel reserves if needed, as well as introducing more flexible rules around airport operations, fuel transport, and airline scheduling.
In May, the European Commission will “clarify existing flexibilities” on the rules on airport slots, fuel tankering, PSO flights, and the use of imported fuels. The aviation industry has already been calling for the relaxation of some of these rules to minimise operational complexity if fuel runs low.
In the UK
UK airlines are not seeing a shortage of jet fuel at the moment. The UK government has advised that there is no need to change travel plans because suppliers have secured fuel supplies in advance, though it is working with airlines to minimise disruption.
The latest data is reassuring. Cirium shows that just 0.75% of flights from the UK have been cancelled in May and 0.2% between June and August. 1,200 flights to or from the UK have been cancelled between 3rd May and 14th June 2026. Most UK cancellations are actually linked to disruption in the Middle East.
What the UK Government is Doing
The UK government is preparing contingency measures to avoid disruption this summer. They are consulting on temporary changes to airport slot rules, which would mean airlines would not lose their slots for the following year if the jet fuel crisis prevents them from flying. Airlines would have more flexibility when adjusting schedules.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government has been monitoring jet fuel supplies daily and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to stay ahead of any problems.
“There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer.
“This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses. We will do everything we can to insulate our country from the impact of the situation in the Middle East.”
One reason the impact varies so much between airlines is fuel hedging. Some airlines secured fuel prices months ago, while others are now having to buy much more expensive fuel at current market rates.
What Airlines Are Doing
The Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa has introduced some of the biggest measures since the jet fuel crisis started.
So far, they have:
- Removed 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule through October, saving more than 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel.
- Focused the cuts on unprofitable short-haul flights, mainly around Frankfurt and Munich, but also cancellations from Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome.
- Grounded 27 aircraft from its short-haul CityLine fleet earlier than planned
- Temporarily suspended Frankfurt flights to Bydgoszcz, Rzeszów, Cork and Stavanger until 31st May.
These changes by Lufthansa have led many publications to run front-page headlines, prompting many people to panic about their summer trip. Though this sounds huge, the capacity is only being reduced by less than 1%.
Nigerian Airlines
Nigerian airlines planned to suspend all domestic flight operations from 20th April due to soaring jet fuel prices, but the shutdown was averted after government intervention. Airlines are now continuing to operate, with measures including a 30-day fuel credit window, although carriers warn that costs remain unsustainable.
SAS
SAS cancelled around 1,000 flights in April after earlier cancellations in March. Prices have also been increased to offset rising fuel costs.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay will review fuel surcharges every 2 weeks as a temporary measure. As a result, fares will rise and fall depending on market conditions. On 1st May, some fuel surcharges were increased, but now they are being reduced.
Around 2% of scheduled flights will also be cancelled from the middle of May until the end of June, with hopes that the full schedule will resume by July.
Hong Kong Express will cut 6% of flights starting on 11th May.
Air Canada
Air Canada has temporarily suspended some routes in response to higher fuel costs, including:
Flights to New York are reducing from 38 to 34 per week.
Checked baggage fees have also increased for some fare types purchased after 13th April.
Delta
Delta has suspended planned capacity growth for the current quarter and is making some targeted reductions, mainly on quieter mid-week and overnight flights. Delta has also warned that higher fuel costs are likely to feed through into fares and fees, and that baggage costs have already risen in response.
Thai Airways
Thai Airways has started increasing fares by around 10-15% to reflect higher jet fuel costs. It has also introduced higher fuel surcharges on international tickets issued from 1st May. Some charges have almost doubled on some routes, including Bangkok to London and Bangkok to Sydney. They are also temporarily cancelling 4-5% of their schedule for May. They are also trying to use smaller aircraft and to combine lightly booked flights.
Air France and KLM
KLM has cancelled 160 European flights over the coming month due to rising fuel costs, but this is less than 1% of tickets. Plans have already been discussed to increase the cost of long-haul tickets.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has added fuel surcharges to new bookings in response to higher jet fuel costs. These are as much as £50 in Economy, £180 in Premium and £360 in Upper Class. They have locked in the price for 60% of fuel this year, but the cost of the other 40% will need to be purchased at current market prices, and the new surcharges are unlikely to cover it.
Air India
Air India is more affected by higher fuel costs and the longer routings needed due to airspace restrictions. Fuel surcharges have been added to all routes, but existing tickets remain at the same price unless you make changes.
The international schedule is also being reduced, affecting a variety of routes, including some to Europe, but not London. There have also been some conversations about reducing capacity.
Other Airlines Making Changes
- British Airways: already has fuel supplies for the short- to medium-term. IAG has said that higher fuel prices will feed through into ticket prices and affect profits and capacity growth.
- Norse: The Gatwick-to-Los Angeles route has been cancelled due to ongoing fuel constraints and cost pressures.
- Air Asia X: 10% of flights have been cut, and fuel surcharges of 20% have been added.
- Air New Zealand: Some flights have been cancelled in May and June, and fares have increased.
- Air China, China Eastern and China Southern: Domestic fuel surcharges have increased.
- Air Transat: Flight operations will be reduced by 6% from May to October, mainly on routes to Europe and the Caribbean. The Cuba route is also suspended until October.
- Singapore Airlines and Scoot: Prices have been raised across the network, but management has said that the increases do not fully cover the cost of jet fuel.
Low-Cost Carriers and Package Holidays
Much of the worry and the leading headlines I’ve been seeing are about the following airlines. Any updates given by low-cost carriers have been reassuring, including:
- EasyJet: They have said there is no disruption to their fuel supply and the full schedule will be operated. No fuel surcharges will be added to flights or EasyJet Holidays.
- Ryanair: Fuel-related cancellations are not expected this summer. Fares are actually being discounted on some routes to increase demand.
- Wizz Air: Will operate the full summer schedule and isn’t seeing any disruption to its fuel supply. Surcharges will not be added, but fares may reflect current market conditions.
- Jet2: No fuel surcharges on flights and holidays already booked.
- Tui: Also, we won’t be adding fuel surcharges to flights or holidays already booked.
- SunExpress: €10 fuel surcharge on Turkey-Europe routes
For this summer at least, it looks like no surcharges will be added and any existing bookings won’t suddenly increase in price. However, if you haven’t booked yet, you may well see prices go up, especially when planning for next year.
What if Your Flight is Cancelled?
If your flight is cancelled because of the jet fuel situation, you should still be protected under UK and EU passenger rights rules.
If you are due to depart from the UK on any airline, or are returning to the UK/EU on a UK/EU airline, you should still be entitled to a full refund or rerouting on another flight.
There is currently no fuel shortage in Europe. Airlines would not normally be able to classify higher fuel costs alone as extraordinary circumstances unless it’s a local fuel shortage or airport-specific issue.
Final Words
The headlines around the jet fuel crisis are understandably worrying, especially when airlines are already cancelling flights, adding surcharges and reducing schedules. At the moment, it does not seem like there will be many (if any) changes to your summer plans.
Long-haul flights will be less affected overall, though if you’re heading East, there’s the added disruption of carriers avoiding the Middle East and increased demand for routes that don’t include a stopover there.
We are also seeing more and more airlines combine lightly booked flights, switch to smaller aircraft, and reduce flight schedules rather than cancel altogether.
If you have not booked yet or are planning trips for later this year or into 2027, higher prices are becoming increasingly likely as the situation develops. We are already seeing fare increases and fuel surcharges feeding through into the market, particularly on long-haul routes and for last-minute summer bookings.
The industry is moving away from fears of widespread summer chaos and towards a period of higher fares and schedule reductions rather than mass cancellations. Airlines cannot absorb fuel costs at current levels indefinitely, and these costs will eventually be passed on to customers.
For now, there’s no need to worry about summer bookings, particularly in the UK and Europe, where many airlines have hedged most of their fuel supplies or sourced alternative fuel supplies. The more likely outcome is a slightly more expensive and less flexible travel market rather than widespread disruption.
