Airlines around the world are cutting flights and scaling back routes as soaring jet fuel prices place mounting pressure on the industry, forcing carriers to rethink schedules and profitability ahead of the busy summer season. With costs surging and uncertainty over supply continuing, major operators including Ryanair and Lufthansa Group are among those making significant changes.

RyanAir

In Europe, Ryanair has warned it may reduce routes if fuel supply pressures intensify. Chief executive Michael O'Leary said there is no immediate disruption expected, but cautioned that continued conflict could lead to supply issues across Europe in May and June.

KLM

KLM has already cancelled 80 return flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, citing routes that are no longer financially viable due to rising kerosene costs, while insisting there is no current shortage.

Lufthansa

Germany's Lufthansa Group is making one of the largest cuts, trimming around 20,000 short-haul flights through October to reduce fuel consumption and eliminate unprofitable routes. The airline said the changes will be rolled out across its major hubs but that long-haul services will remain largely unaffected.

Other European Carriers

Other European carriers are also responding to the pressure. Edelweiss Air is cancelling select US routes, including services to Denver and Seattle, while reducing flights to Las Vegas. Scandinavian Airlines is cutting around 1,000 mostly short-haul flights, and Aer Lingus has adjusted parts of its schedule, with reports suggesting hundreds of flights could be impacted.

Vietnam Airlines

Airlines in Asia are also cutting back as fuel prices surge. Vietnam Airlines has suspended several domestic routes and warned it could reduce flight volumes by up to 20% if prices continue rising.

Asian Budget Carriers

Budget carriers including AirAsia, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways are also scaling back operations. AirAsia said it has already cut 10% of its flights and significantly increased fares, with CEO Bo Lingam warning that fuel prices have more than doubled, creating unprecedented pressure on the airline.

United Airlines

In the United States, United Airlines is reducing flights over the coming quarters, focusing on removing off-peak and unprofitable services. CEO Scott Kirby said persistently high fuel prices could add billions to operating costs.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has avoided major fuel-driven cuts so far, partly due to its ownership of an oil refinery, though it has trimmed some seasonal routes. Elsewhere, Air New Zealand is cutting around 5% of its flights.

Air Canada

Air Canada is suspending certain domestic and international routes as rising fuel prices render some services uneconomical.

While airlines insist there is no immediate widespread fuel shortage, the rapid increase in costs is already forcing difficult decisions across the industry. With some carriers reporting fuel prices doubling since the start of the crisis, airlines are increasingly prioritising profitability over expansion.

Experts warn that if fuel prices remain elevated, passengers are likely to face higher ticket prices, fewer flight options, and continued disruption during the busy summer travel season, as airlines continue to adjust to the evolving crisis.