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Airlines Slash Flights as Jet Fuel Prices Double

5/13/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Airlines worldwide are cutting routes through May-October because jet fuel prices have doubled since the Iran conflict.
London Heathrow cancelled 846 flights in May, eliminating 151,198 seats.
Lufthansa announced on 21 April it will drop 20,000 short-haul flights through October, saving about 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel.
Qantas said on 18 May it will remove 88 Melbourne-Sydney and 50 Sydney-Brisbane flights, offering rebooking or refunds.

History

Historical Context

The October 1973 Arab oil embargo, when OPEC lifted the posted price from $5.12 to $11.65 per barrel, forced airlines such as Pan Am to cut routes and slash flights. Today, 2024 carriers including Lufthansa, Qantas and Heathrow’s operators are again trimming schedules as jet-fuel costs soar, prompting a global industry echoing the 1973 shock.

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Story summary

Airlines worldwide are cutting routes through May-October because jet fuel prices have doubled since the Iran conflict.
London Heathrow cancelled 846 flights in May, eliminating 151,198 seats.
Lufthansa announced on 21 April it will drop 20,000 short-haul flights through October, saving about 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel.
Qantas said on 18 May it will remove 88 Melbourne-Sydney and 50 Sydney-Brisbane flights, offering rebooking or refunds.

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