Rising Jet Fuel Prices Prompt Flight Cancellations on UK Regional Routes

Jet fuel prices have risen more than 130 percent compared to the same period twelve months ago, according to the International Air Transport Association. This increase stems from events in the Middle East, including strikes by US and Israeli forces on Iran on February 28.

Airlines on key UK regional routes, particularly those connecting Cornwall and Guernsey to London, are canceling or scaling back services as smaller operators struggle with the higher costs.

Skybus, a Cornwall-based airline, axed its Newquay to Gatwick service ahead of the bank holiday weekend. Jonathan Hinkles, the airline's managing director, cited a significant rise in fuel costs following the war in the Gulf and a drop in passenger bookings as reasons for the decision. These routes serve as essential connections for remote areas to major economic centers.

in the Channel Islands Aurigny, an operator serving the Channel Islands, announced reductions in flight frequencies on its Guernsey to London City route and a merger of its Exeter and Bristol services.

The airline also plans to reduce flights to Paris. Nico Bezuidenhout, Aurigny's chief executive, attributed these changes to kerosene prices doubling since the February 28 strikes, combined with lower-than-expected bookings. Aurigny has hedged between 20 and 50 percent of its near-term fuel requirements, compared to 70 percent for British Airways.

The carrier introduced a £2 surcharge on tickets but determined that larger increases would be unsustainable for the local market. Short-haul domestic routes, which last an hour or less, incur high fixed costs without the offsetting revenue from longer flights that larger carriers enjoy.

" — Nico Bezuidenhout, Aurigny chief executive (GB News) Toby Parkins, president of the Cornish Chamber of Commerce, raised concerns about the financial outlook for Newquay airport.