Airfare spike and cuts

Airlines are cutting summer flights and raising ticket prices as jet fuel costs jump and war-related disruptions redraw global routes. (cnbc.com) Since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026, the U.S. jet fuel price cited by CNBC rose from $2.50 a gallon on February 27 to $4.88 on April 2. CNBC reported airlines were already trimming schedules, adding surcharges and weighing further cuts, especially on overseas routes. (cnbc.com) Air France and KLM said new bookings now carry higher fuel charges, with some long-haul return trips adding another €50 and bringing the surcharge to €100, or about £87. Flights to the United States, Canada and Mexico were reported to be rising by €70. (express.co.uk) Aer Lingus has canceled part of its summer schedule, saying the changes affect about 2% of operations. RTÉ reported the cuts came after the Sunday Independent said more than 500 flights were being removed, while the airline said most affected passengers would be moved onto same-day services. (rte.ie) The squeeze is not limited to flights touching the Middle East. Afar reported that airlines flying between Europe, Asia and Australia are avoiding Iranian and nearby airspace, adding detours, layovers and occasional cancellations across one of the world’s main long-haul corridors. (afar.com) That route map matters because Gulf hubs handle huge passenger volumes. Afar said Dubai International handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, Doha handled 54.3 million, and Abu Dhabi handled 33 million, making even short shutdowns ripple across airline networks. (afar.com) Fuel is one of the fastest ways a geopolitical shock reaches travelers. CNBC reported jet fuel is generally airlines’ biggest cost after labor and accounts for 20% of expenses or more, which is why carriers tend to respond with fare increases, surcharges or fewer flights instead of absorbing the hit. (cnbc.com) There is also a split in how airlines explain the cuts. Aer Lingus said its cancellations were driven by mandatory aircraft maintenance, while Irish Airline Pilots’ Association president Mark Tighe told RTÉ he believed pilot shortages, not fuel costs, were the real issue at the carrier. (rte.ie) For travelers, the effect is showing up in both price and choice. United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said higher fares were likely, and CNBC reported airlines were pruning flights that “just can’t absorb these fuel costs,” leaving fewer seats on sale as summer booking peaks. (cnbc.com)