NEW YORK — Several major airlines have begun cutting routes and reducing flight frequencies as jet fuel prices have surged amid ongoing tensions and supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, industry executives and analysts said.
Carriers including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air India, Air New Zealand, KLM and Cathay Pacific have announced or implemented capacity reductions and other cost measures in recent weeks, citing higher fuel expenses linked to the conflict in the region. The moves follow volatility in oil markets triggered by U.S. naval actions and Iranian responses in the vital shipping chokepoint.
Jet fuel prices have risen sharply since late February 2026, with some reports indicating they nearly doubled in certain markets as disruptions affected supplies from the Gulf, which accounts for a significant share of global aviation fuel. The Gulf region supplies about 50 percent of Europe's jet fuel imports under normal conditions, much of it routed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Delta Air Lines said the higher costs were expected to add about $2 billion in operating expenses in the second quarter alone. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby noted in a memo to staff that sustained elevated prices could result in an additional $11 billion in annual costs.
KLM plans to cut around 160 flights next month, equivalent to about 1 percent of its European network, describing some routes as no longer financially viable. Cathay Pacific announced capacity reductions of about 2 percent from mid-May through June and suspended certain services.
On Saturday, the situation worsened after Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran reimposed restrictions on the waterway, hours after President Donald Trump stated the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported the tanker and crew were safe, though further details on the incident remained limited.
Airlines have also raised fares, added fuel surcharges and increased baggage fees in response to the cost pressures. Some carriers have warned of potential further adjustments if supply constraints persist.
A spokesman for the International Air Transport Association said the industry was monitoring developments closely but provided no specific comment on Saturday's events.
As of Saturday evening, exact additional route cuts tied directly to the latest incidents were not detailed by airlines. Carriers continued to adjust schedules amid uncertainty over future fuel availability and pricing. No immediate comment was available from major U.S. or European carriers on potential further reductions.
