Airlines cancelling flights or including costs amid jet gas disaster – see full record

Fuel costs have skyrocketed since the war in Iran began, jumping from roughly $85-$90 per barrel to as high as $120, causing summer holiday travel disruptions as airlines introduce fuel surcharges and cancel flights

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Airlines worldwide have been scrapping flights as they wrestle with a serious jet fuel shortage characterised by soaring prices and restricted supply.

In the brief period since the conflict in Iran commenced, fuel costs have rocketed – leaping from approximately $85-$90 per barrel to as much as $120.

With fuel suddenly far more costly and tougher to obtain, numerous carriers have been compelled to reduce routes, ground aircraft, and implement surcharges to counter the financial strain, reports the Express.

Fatih Birol, the chief of the International Energy Agency, warned that the flight cancellations will commence “soon” if the Strait of Hormuz stays shut during the Iran conflict, potentially throwing summer holidays into turmoil.

Aegean Airlines – The Greek carrier believes that the halted Middle East flights and a surge in fuel prices may have a “notable impact” on its first-quarter results.

AirAsia X – The airline’s executives said they have cut the number of flights across the group by 10% and introduced a general fuel surcharge of about 20%.

Air France-KLM – According to the airlines, it is planning to raise the long-haul ticket prices amid the rising fuel costs, with the prices likely to rise by 50 euros ($58) per round trip,

Air India – The airline services may revise its fuel surcharge from a flat domestic surcharge to a distance-based grid, reports Independent. Air New Zealand – On April 7, the carrier revealed it would slash flights during May and June while hiking ticket prices, acknowledging it had been amongst the first airlines to implement sweeping fare hikes when the conflict commenced.

American Airlines – The US carrier announced it will increase checked-bag charges, adding $10 (£7.3) extra for the first and second bags and $150 (£110) more for a third checked bag on domestic and short-haul international routes.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) – a trade body comprising mainly domestic carriers – had recently issued a warning that they would halt services from April 20 (Monday), stating that spiralling jet fuel costs have rendered operations unviable.

The AON further said that the step was taken after an appeal from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who called for restraint and dialogue.

Alaska Air – The US carrier announced it may boost charges for the first checked bag by $5 and by $10 for the second on its North American routes, as well as for its Hawaiian Airlines division. It raised prices for a third checked bag from $50 to $200, reports Independent.

Asiana Airlines – The carrier will cut 22 flights between April and July owing to rising fuel costs, Newsis reported. Cathay Pacific – The Hong Kong carrier announced it will reduce its timetable from mid-May through to the end of June, axing approximately 2% of its passenger services, while its budget subsidiary HK Express will slash around 6%. The airline has also hiked its fuel surcharge by 34% across all routes from 1st April and intends to reassess the rate fortnightly.

Cebu Air – The Philippines-based carrier stated that it would persist in examining its pricing and network approaches to offset the impact. China Eastern Airlines – The airline announced it will boost fuel surcharges on domestic routes beginning 5th April, adding 60 yuan ($9) for journeys of 800 km or less and 120 yuan for flights exceeding 800 km.

Delta Airlines – The carrier revealed it would slash planned capacity expansion and increase checked baggage fees to counter soaring jet fuel expenses. First and second checked bags will rise by $10, while a third bag will cost an additional $50.

The airline has abandoned all planned growth for the current quarter and cautioned that profits will be below Wall Street predictions. Delta’s chief executive stated the company would not revise its full-year forecast due to uncertainty surrounding fuel prices.

EasyJet – easyJet cautioned its half-year pre-tax loss could hit £540m to £560m, incorporating an additional £25m in fuel expenses during March.

Chief executive Kenton Jarvis has also cautioned passengers could encounter higher ticket costs later in the summer when current fuel hedges run out.

Frontier Airlines – Reassessing its full-year forecast after fuel expenses soared. Greater Bay Airlines – Greater Bay Airlines announced it will increase fuel surcharges on most routes from April 1, though charges on mainland China and Japan flights will remain unchanged.

The carrier revealed that surcharges on flights between Hong Kong and the Philippines will more than double.

Hong Kong Airlines – Boosting fuel surcharges by up to 35%, with the steepest increases on Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal routes.

International Airlines Group – The airline stated it has no immediate plans to increase British Airways fares because much of its fuel is hedged.

IndiGo – Introducing fuel charges, including 900 rupees for Middle East flights and 2,300 rupees for Europe routes. Sources informed Reuters the company is also pressing the Indian government to reduce fuel taxes.

JetBlue Airways – Hiking baggage fees by up to $9 as costs soar, while maintaining it will avoid bankruptcy this year, according to Reuters.

Korean Air – Moving into emergency management mode, according to Reuters, and intensifying cost-cutting measures.

Lufthansa – Retiring 27 aircraft early and removing more planes from its fleet.

Nigerian airlines – Cautioned flights could be suspended from April 20 unless fuel prices drop.

Norse Atlantic Airways – Scrapped its London Gatwick to Los Angeles route due to fuel costs.

Pakistan International Airlines – Increasing domestic fares by $20 and international fares by up to $100.

Qantas Airways – Postponed a A$150m buyback and raised its fuel bill forecast to as much as A$3.3bn. SAS – The airline is set to cancel 1,000 flights in April after already ramping up fares.

Spring Airlines – This carrier will increase domestic fuel surcharges from April 5.

Southwest Airlines – The airline is boosting baggage fees to $45 for a first bag and $55 for a second.

SunExpress – This airline will introduce a temporary 10-euro fuel surcharge on Turkey-Europe routes.

TAP Air Portugal – The airline stated that fare increases would cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.

Thai Airways – The airline is hiking fares by up to 15%.

Turkish Airlines – The airline has chosen not to pay a dividend in order to conserve cash.

T’way Air – The airline plans to place some cabin crew on unpaid leave in May and June.

United Airlines – United Airlines is reducing loss-making routes over the next six months as it prepares for oil prices to remain above $100 a barrel until the end of 2027, according to chief executive Scott Kirby.

The airline has also managed to raise fares without seeing a significant effect on bookings, said chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella, despite the steep increase in oil and jet fuel costs.

United is also raising first and second checked baggage fees by $10 for customers travelling within the US, Mexico, Canada and Latin America, according to Reuters.

VietJet Air – The airline has reduced flights on some routes due to fuel shortages.

Vietnam Airlines – The airline plans to cancel 23 domestic flights a week from April. The airline reportedly asked the government for help to remove an environmental tax on jet fuel.

Virgin Atlantic – Implementing fuel surcharges but still anticipating a challenging year, CEO Corneel ‌Koster informed the Financial Times.

Virgin Australia – Predicts fuel costs to surge by up to A$40m, with a 1% decrease in capacity in the fourth quarter.

Volotea – Has introduced a pricing policy that could impose fuel surcharges of up to 14 euros per passenger.

WestJet – Reducing seats, merging flights and implementing a C$60 fuel surcharge on certain bookings, as reported by the Canadian press.

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