Airlines Cancel 13,000 May Flights Globally Amid Soaring Jet Fuel Costs

Airlines have cancelled 13,000 flights globally throughout May, removing nearly two million seats from their schedules. This widespread reduction stems directly from the soaring cost of jet fuel, which has doubled since late February, reaching $1,838 per tonne in early April from $831.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that Istanbul and Munich have experienced the most substantial cuts. Carriers typically avoid flight cancellations due to the potential loss of valuable airport take-off and landing slots; however, new contingency plans in the UK may mitigate this risk for airlines operating there.

Major carriers, including Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Delta, and SAS, have already curtailed their summer schedules. German airline group Lufthansa announced earlier this month its intention to remove 20,000 flights between now and the end of October.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned in mid-April that Europe could face a critical jet fuel shortage within six weeks. The UK government is reportedly preparing concessions, such as permitting airlines to cancel flights at congested airports like Heathrow well in advance without forfeiting their assigned slots.