A major airline has canceled hundreds of flights due to rising fuel prices. Australian airline Qantas plans to cut flights from May 18 due to rising jet fuel prices linked to the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The airline plans to cut 88 flights on its Melbourne to Sydney service, 50 flights on the Sydney to Brisbane line and 31 flights from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Flights from Perth to Sydney will also be affected, as well as flights from Melbourne to Adelaide and Brisbane to Adelaide. The disruption is likely to last till June. In a statement, Qantas said: “Given the continued volatility in fuel prices and global economic conditions, (Qantas Group) has reduced domestic capacity by approximately 5 percentage points (in the fourth quarter of the 2026 financial year),” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Affected Qantas and Jetstar customers are being contacted directly and offered alternative flights or refunds.”
Virgin also said its seasonal flights between Darwin and Sydney would be cut from June and flights from Uluru to Melbourne would also be affected.
In Britain, airlines are reportedly asking for government help to avoid cutting flights and increasing fares due to tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Airlines UK, which represents a number of carriers including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Loganair, Ryanair, UPS and Virgin Atlantic, said that “the doubling of jet fuel costs (with fuel accounting for almost one-third of airline costs) represents a major added value shock”, it reported.
Document, viewed by itv newsThe submission to ministers and the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), warned that if the disruption “continues or worsens”, it would force airlines to cut flights and raise fares.
According to the latest analysis, the average fuel cost per passenger for flights within the EU has already increased by almost €29 (£25) per passenger.
A government spokesman said: “UK airlines have been clear that they do not foresee a shortage of jet fuel at this time.
“We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airlines and international counterparts on our contingency planning to ensure people can keep moving and businesses supported while the conflict continues.
“Our overriding priority is to de-escalate this conflict, open the strait and prevent disruption to travelers.”
