Airlines Scrap Two Million May Seats as Middle East Tensions Push Up Jet Fuel Costs

Airlines worldwide have slashed around two million seats from their May schedules over the past fortnight. Rising fears that renewed hostilities involving Iran could choke global jet fuel supplies have driven the cuts. Data from aviation analytics shows total May seats dropped from 132.6 million in mid-April to 130.7 million by late April. Flight numbers also fell by over 13,000, as major Gulf carriers faced airspace closures and soaring fuel bills. European airlines like Lufthansa and Air France-KLM joined the reductions, while US low-cost carrier Spirit ceased operations amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Industry leaders warn more cancellations are likely if the conflict persists.

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