Airlines cut 13,000 flights in May as jet fuel prices soar
Airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally in May as jet fuel prices soar due to the conflict in the Middle East.
www.bbc.co.ukHere’s a concise update on May half-term flight cancellations.
- Latest UK/Airline context: Flights cancellations in May have been rising globally due to higher jet-fuel costs and Middle East tensions, with UK departures seeing notable but often manageable disruption during the May half-term period. This aligns with industry guidance suggesting some routes may be consolidated or canceled to protect reliability during peak travel windows.[3][8]
- Where the impact is concentrated: The bulk of cancellations has occurred on a subset of long-haul or high-demand routes, while many departures and common summer routes to popular destinations remain operating, according to travel industry briefings from early May.[4][3]
- Practical advice for travelers: If you’re flying during the May half-term, verify your flight status with the airline close to departure, consider travel insurance with disruption coverage, and be prepared for potential schedule changes or seat re-accommodations on alternative flights.[1][3]
Illustration: Many families plan May half-term trips; while total cancellations are a minority of flights, the sheer volume of summer bookings means even small percentages translate into thousands of affected seats globally.[8][1]
Sources:
- ABTA update and UK/Global context on May half-term travel and cancellations.[1]
- BBC summary: airlines cut thousands of flights in May due to jet-fuel price increases and Middle East tensions.[8]
- Independent reporting on May cancellations around the half-term period.[3]
- The Mirror and other outlets highlighting broader summer travel disruption trends.[4]