More than 13,000 flights have been cancelled globally in May as soaring jet fuel prices continue to hit the aviation sector. The disruption does, however, only amount to around 1 per cent of global services.
The cancellations are being driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil supply. The numbers came from Cirium, which identified Munich and Istanbul among the worst-affected destinations.
The impact is being felt closer to home. Qantas has introduced flight path adjustments on its Perth to London service, which is currently diverting via Singapore for fuel stops as airlines skirt conflict-affected airspace. Its new Sydney–Paris service has also been rerouted via Singapore instead of Perth. Qantas is also offering fee-free refunds, credits or date changes for customers booked on partner airline services to, from or via the UAE, Qatar, Israel, Jordan, Oman and Bahrain.
Qatar Airways has grounded its eight active A380s through April and May, with restricted airspace and elevated fuel costs making the superjumbo economically unviable on reduced-capacity routes. The airline now plans to return the aircraft to service on 16 June, with Sydney among the routes to be served by smaller widebody aircraft in the interim. Virgin’s Sydney and Melbourne to Doha services are resuming from 15 June, though Brisbane and Perth to Doha remain suspended until 14 September.
Several major carriers have already trimmed schedules more broadly. Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Delta and SAS have all reduced summer services, while Germany’s Lufthansa has flagged the removal of 20,000 flights through to the end of October.
The pricing impact is harder to dismiss. Jet fuel costs more than doubled after the conflict began – one tonne was trading at US$831 in late February before peaking at US$1,838 in early April. It currently sits around US$1,500. Many airlines have already passed costs on to passengers, particularly on long-haul routes.
There are, however, signs of recovery. The UAE has lifted all air traffic restrictions in place since the conflict began, with the country’s civil aviation authority confirming operations have returned to normal status.
This week Emirates revealed that 97 per cent of destinations are now back up.
Emirates restores 97% of global network after UAE airspace reopens
