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Global Airlines Cut 2 Million Seats as US Oil Demand Falls
Global airlines have reduced capacity by two million seats and canceled 12,000 flights in May due to jet fuel supply disruptions from the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure. Warnings highlight risks of critically low inventories in the UK, prompting emergency measures and higher ticket prices. Carriers like Lufthansa and Gulf airlines face the heaviest impacts.
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Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Airlines worldwide have removed about 2 million seats and canceled roughly 12,000 flights from their May schedules over the past two weeks. According to aviation analytics company Cirium, total available seats across all carriers in May dropped from 132 million to 130 million between mid and late April.
Gulf carriers including Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates have been among those adjusting schedules amid airspace restrictions and airport disruptions in the Middle East. The cost of jet fuel climbed from $99 per barrel to a peak of $209 in early April before settling at $181 per barrel last week.
Lufthansa has removed 20,000 flights from its schedule between May and October. Air China has scrapped some domestic services. British Airways owner IAG has said it will pass higher fuel expenses on to passengers through increased ticket prices. IAG has acknowledged it was not immune to the volatility despite hedging arrangements.
The vessels' operators have not been publicly identified in statements from US officials cited in the sources. No publicly released evidence has documented specific links between the flight reductions and any single cause.
MarketWatch reported that America is using less oil, and the Iran conflict could further reduce its thirst for hydrocarbons. The International Energy Agency has described the situation as the world's largest oil output disruption following hostilities that began on 28 February and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK operates four oil refineries after the Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland was shuttered in April 2025 and the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire was shuttered last August. The International Energy Agency issued a warning in mid-April that Europe possessed just six weeks of jet fuel reserves before shortages would materialise.
