Airlines hike fares, cut millions of seats as Iran war drives up fuel costs
Key takeaways
- Surging jet fuel prices are prompting carriers to slash their flight schedules, casting a cloud over summer travel rush.
- “I saw prices going up, saw budget airlines cancelling flights often, and wanted to avoid any friction later on,” Theodore, who asked to be identified by his first name only, told Al Jazeera.
- “It’s a life quality upgrade to reduce friction and mental cycles on issues like this,” said Theodore, who lives in Cyberjaya, about 30km (19 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Surging jet fuel prices are prompting carriers to slash their flight schedules, casting a cloud over summer travel rush.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo An Emirates plane comes in for landing at Dubai airport, UAE [File: Jon Gambrell/AP Photo]By John Power Published On 6 May 20266 May 2026Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Theodore, a retired tech entrepreneur in Malaysia, is usually in no rush to book flights for his family’s annual holiday to South Korea and Japan, preferring to take his time to find the best deals.
But this year, the 50-year-old father of three was eager to lock down his travel plans fast amid a surge in jet fuel prices that has led to thousands of flight cancellations worldwide – even if it meant giving up a bargain.