Some 13,000 flights worldwide have been cancelled in May amid soaring jet fuel prices triggered by the Middle East conflict. Plenty from the UK have also been axed
Airlines have been compelled to axe flights during the May half-term as jet fuel costs spiral out of control.
Jet fuel prices have soared due to the Middle East conflict, with the crisis intensified by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes, triggering a worldwide shortage. In an attempt to cut costs and cope with rocketing jet fuel prices, airlines have scrapped flights during one of the peak travel periods.
To date, airlines have axed 13,000 worldwide flights from May timetables, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Of these, carriers have already slashed 1,468 flights from the UK’s largest airports, with smaller UK airports also feeling the impact.
London Heathrow has witnessed a shocking 846 flights cancelled for May, affecting 151,198 seats, while Birmingham has trimmed its schedule by 200 flights and 21,880 seats. Currently, 410 routes have been hit across some of the UK’s major airports, with Glasgow also forced to scrap 86 flights so far in May and Manchester 60.
Following worries about the long-term availability of jet fuel, which could spark cancellations throughout summer, these are the airlines that have cut routes during the May half-term, with some lasting until winter, reports the Mirror.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa has been compelled to scrap 20,000 of its routes between May and October in an effort to preserve fuel, delivering yet another setback during the summer holiday period. In a statement released on April 21, the German airline confirmed: “In total, 20,000 short-haul flights will be removed from the schedule through October, equivalent to approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict.”
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has similarly axed more than 3,000 flights, according to Cirium data. Certain routes will be halted between May and June 2026, while others may not resume until late October 2026 or March of next year.
Air Asia X
The Malaysian carrier revealed it was forced to cancel 10% of its flights in May due to rocketing prices.
Air Canada
Air Canada has shelved several routes this month, owing to the fuel crisis sparked by the Middle East conflict. A proposed international route set to launch between Guadalajara and Montréal has been put on hold, while domestic services between Fort McMurray and Vancouver will be scrapped from May 28.
The airline stated: “Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, affecting some lower profitability routes and flights, which are now no longer economically feasible. Schedule adjustments, including some frequency reductions, are being made in response.”
Air China
Air China has also reacted to the spike in jet fuel costs by slashing domestic and international services, though it remains uncertain which routes will be hit.
Air Transat
Air Transat, which focuses on flights from Canada to Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico, is also trimming its timetable by 6% between May and October. Some of its busiest routes, including those to the Caribbean and Cuba, will be affected until the summer season concludes.
Air New Zealand
The carrier confirmed it would axe a raft of flights in May and June, including 70 Nelson services to and from Wellington, 40 to and from Christchurch, and 30 to and from Auckland.
Asiana Airlines
The South Korean carrier will also scrap 22 flights between April and July, according to Travel Radar.
Cathay Pacific
The Hong Kong-based operator revealed it would be reducing selected flights from mid-May through to the end of June, cutting around 2% of its planned services. Meanwhile, its budget subsidiary, HK Express, is slashing operations by roughly 6%.
Delta
Delta has suspended routes from New York to Memphis, St Louis and Houston until September 8, and has cancelled routes from Detroit to Sacramento until March 2027, and Boston to Nassau until September, reports Travel Market Report.
KLM
Meanwhile, KLM revised its flight timetable last month owing to soaring kerosene costs, seeking to meet demand during the hectic May holiday period. The carrier also confirmed that services to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam will remain suspended until at least June 28.
Norse Atlantic
The budget Norwegian carrier has scrapped its route linking London Gatwick and Los Angeles due to steep fuel costs.
Qantas
Qantas is set to slash numerous routes from May 18. This will see 88 services axed from its Melbourne to Sydney operation, 50 from Sydney to Brisbane, and 31 from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Services from Perth to Sydney will also face cuts, alongside routes from Melbourne to Adelaide and Brisbane to Adelaide, with disruption anticipated until June. In a statement, the Australian carrier said: “Given the continued volatility in fuel prices and the global economic conditions, (Qantas Group) has reduced domestic capacity in (the fourth quarter of the 2026 financial year) by around 5 percentage points.
“Affected Qantas and Jetstar customers are being contacted directly and offered alternative flights or a refund.”
SAS
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has axed nearly 1,200 services planned for May amid rocketing fuel expenses, the Copenhagen Post reports.
Thai Airways
Thai Airways International has slashed or scrapped some domestic and international services across Asia and Europe in May, impacting 46 routes.
United Airlines United Airlines has also axed a string of its routes, including services to Europe, Japan and the Middle East, which could affect May getaways, according to Travel and Tour World.
Vietjet
The Vietnamese budget carrier has tweaked its flight timetable for May and June.
Vietnam Airlines
From April, the carrier revealed plans to axe 23 domestic services per week, having petitioned the government for assistance in scrapping an environmental tax on jet fuel, Vietnam’s aviation authority confirmed. Though specifics of this remain to be verified.
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