Airlines Cut Flights Worldwide as War Lifts Fuel Bills by $25 Billion
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 1
Airlines Cut Flights Worldwide as War Lifts Fuel Bills by $25 Billion
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 1
Summary
U.S. and European airlines are trimming summer schedules, with United cutting seats 4.8% and European carriers reducing flights 5% as the Middle East war drives up jet-fuel costs.
About $25 billion in extra 2026 fuel spending is expected for U.S. airlines alone, pushing fares higher and threatening another round of cuts if travelers pull back.
Controller shortages are compounding the strain: Newark and LaGuardia had already reduced summer schedules, and the FAA recently ordered more than 300 daily flight cuts at Chicago O'Hare.
Europe faces an added supply crunch of roughly 500,000 barrels of jet fuel a day, with inventories only two to three weeks deep, prompting some long-haul low-cost carriers to cancel trans-Atlantic routes.
Disruptions could outlast any near-term peace deal, with fuel constraints and higher prices likely to linger through winter and potentially into 2027.