Airlines have been forced to cancel flights during the May half-term holiday as jet fuel costs continue to surge. The ongoing jet fuel crisis, triggered by the Middle East conflict, has led to soaring aviation fuel prices. The situation has been exacerbated by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies flow, sparking a worldwide shortage. In an attempt to reduce costs and cope with escalating jet fuel expenses, airlines have scrapped flights during one of the year's peak travel windows.
Global Impact on Flight Schedules
To date, airlines have removed 13,000 flights from May timetables globally, according to data from aviation analytics company Cirium. Of these, carriers have already cut 1,468 departures from the UK's largest airports, with smaller regional hubs similarly affected. London Heathrow has witnessed a remarkable 846 flights removed from May schedules, eliminating 151,198 seats, while Birmingham has trimmed its programme by 200 flights and 21,880 seats. Currently, 410 routes have been affected across several of the UK's principal airports, with Glasgow also obliged to cancel 86 flights so far in May and Manchester 60.
Amid concerns over the sustained availability of aviation fuel, which could prompt further cancellations throughout the summer, these are the carriers that have eliminated routes during the May half-term break, with some reductions extending into winter.
List of Affected Airlines
Lufthansa
Lufthansa has been compelled to scrap 20,000 of its services between May and October in an effort to preserve fuel, delivering another setback during the peak summer holiday period. In a statement released on 21 April, 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 likewise scrapped more than 3,000 services, according to Cirium data. Certain routes will be suspended between May and June 2026, while others may not resume until late October 2026 or March the following year.
Air Asia X
The Malaysian carrier revealed it was forced to cancel 10% of its services in May amid spiralling costs.
Air Canada
Air Canada has suspended several routes this month, owing to the fuel crisis sparked by the Middle East conflict. A proposed international route between Guadalajara and Montréal has been shelved, while domestic services between Fort McMurray and Vancouver will be discontinued from 28 May. The carrier 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 similarly reacted to soaring jet fuel costs by reducing both domestic and international services, although specific affected routes remain undisclosed.
Air Transat
Air Transat, which focuses on flights from Canada to Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico, is trimming its timetable by 6% between May and October. Several of its busiest routes, including services to the Caribbean and Cuba, will face reductions through the end of the summer period.
Air New Zealand
The carrier confirmed it would axe numerous flights during 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 operator will slash 22 services between April and July, according to Travel Radar.
Cathay Pacific
The Hong Kong-based airline announced it would be reducing selected flights from mid-May through to the end of June, removing around 2% of its planned services. Its budget subsidiary, HK Express, is meanwhile cutting operations by roughly 6%.
Delta
Delta has suspended services from New York to Memphis, St Louis and Houston until 8 September, while cancelling routes from Detroit to Sacramento until March 2027, and Boston to Nassau until September, reports Travel Market Report.
KLM
Meanwhile, KLM revised its flight schedule last month in response to increasing kerosene costs, seeking to meet demand throughout the hectic May bank holiday period. The airline also announced that services to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam will stay suspended until no earlier than 28 June.
Norse Atlantic
The low-cost Norwegian carrier has scrapped its London Gatwick to Los Angeles route owing to substantial fuel expenses.
Qantas
Qantas intends to reduce numerous routes from 18 May, resulting in 88 flights being withdrawn from its Melbourne to Sydney service, 50 from Sydney to Brisbane, and 31 from Brisbane to Melbourne. Services from Perth to Sydney will equally be affected, alongside routes connecting Melbourne to Adelaide and Brisbane to Adelaide, with disruption anticipated through June. In a statement, the Australian carrier explained: "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 scrapped nearly 1,200 flights planned for May due to soaring fuel prices, according to the Copenhagen Post.
Thai Airways
Thai Airways International has reduced or axed certain domestic and international services throughout Asia and Europe in May, impacting 46 routes.
United Airlines
United Airlines has also cut numerous routes, including services to Europe, Japan and the Middle East, which may affect May holiday plans, reports Travel and Tour World.
Vietjet
The Vietnamese budget carrier has modified its flight timetable for May and June.
Vietnam Airlines
From April, the carrier announced intentions to reduce 23 domestic flights weekly, following an appeal to the government for assistance in eliminating an environmental levy on jet fuel, according to Vietnam's aviation authority. However, specific details are yet to be confirmed.
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