Summer fares surge

Airlines are cutting flights and raising summer fares as jet-fuel supplies tighten and prices spike ahead of the busiest travel months. (aol.com) The pressure has spread fast since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026: CNBC reported U.S. jet fuel nearly doubled from $2.50 a gallon on February 27 to $4.88 on April 2. Business Insider, citing Cirium data, said 19 of the world’s 20 largest airlines have trimmed May schedules. (cnbc.com) (africa.businessinsider.com) Fares are already moving higher on specific routes. AOL reported some 2026 itineraries are pricing as much as 50% above last year, while NerdWallet said U.S. airfares were up 14.9% year over year in its March 2026 travel inflation report. (aol.com) (nerdwallet.com) Canada’s domestic market has been hit even harder on some city pairs. OpenJaw, citing Kayak data published April 20, said Toronto fares were up 74% year over year to $366, Montreal fares were up 29% to $489, and average Canadian domestic prices in April were up 26% from 2025. (openjaw.com) Fuel is usually an airline’s biggest cost after labor, and CNBC said it can account for 20% or more of operating expenses. When that cost jumps in a matter of weeks, carriers usually respond by pulling weaker flights and charging more on seats they still expect to fill. (cnbc.com) The cuts are showing up in Europe as well as North America. USA Today reported on April 16 that carriers including easyJet and Lufthansa were reworking schedules as the Iran war pushed jet-fuel costs higher across the industry. (usatoday.com) Aer Lingus took a separate step this week, removing more than 500 flights from its summer schedule. The airline said the cuts were tied to “mandatory maintenance on aircraft,” and affected passengers are being rebooked where possible or offered refunds. (aol.com) That dispute has widened in Ireland. FTN News, citing Irish Independent reporting, said Aer Lingus cut flights across European and transatlantic routes, while pilot-union leaders disputed the airline’s explanation and blamed staffing pressures instead. (ftnnews.com) Travel data firms are now telling flyers to expect a tougher summer market. OAG says it updates airfare data weekly, and Going said in its 2026 travel outlook that bargain hunters will need to work harder this year as flight deals become less common. (oag.com) (going.com) For passengers, the pattern is simple: fewer flights, higher fuel bills, and less room for airlines to keep summer tickets cheap. The next few weeks will show whether fuel prices ease or whether more carriers follow with additional cuts. (aol.com) (cnbc.com)