Airlines Begin Axing Flights as Jet Fuel Costs Soar and Shortage Looms Within Days

Flights Being Cut as Jet Fuel Crisis Deepens

Fears are mounting that thousands of Easter and summer holidays could be disrupted as airlines begin cancelling flights amid the soaring cost of jet fuel and warnings of an imminent supply shortage at major European airports.

According to aviation analytics company Cirium, more than one in 20 flights scheduled on Monday was cancelled — almost twice the percentage recorded at the same point last year. The sudden spike in cancellations is directly linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is strangling the global supply of jet fuel and sending prices to levels not seen in decades.

Jet Fuel Up 130% in Twelve Months

Jet fuel now costs buyers around $1,710 (€1,490) per metric tonne — a staggering 130% increase on its price just twelve months ago. The surge is tied to oil prices: Brent crude, the global benchmark, hit $116 (€101) per barrel during Monday morning's market trading.

The price spike is being driven by Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — the vital maritime shipping route through which around 20% of the world's oil and liquified natural gas passes, along with approximately 40% of Europe's jet fuel supplies. Shipping traffic exiting the Persian Gulf has been halted, with tankers stranded amid the risk of attack.

The situation has been compounded by Iranian drone strikes damaging oil refineries across the region, prompting key producers including Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE to cut production. Economists have begun comparing the unfolding energy crisis to the 1970s oil shock.

'No Fuel Available' Warning at European Airports

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras, writing on X, issued a stark warning: "A serious jet fuel shortage is less than a week away across multiple different markets — including at some major European airport hubs."

He said airports were already "informing airlines to prepare for a potential 'no fuel available here' scenario" and stressed this was not a localised problem: "International airlines from Asia, South America, Africa are working on contingency plans, which include attempted fuel stops en route to and from destinations as the jet fuel shortage worsens to unprecedented levels and the price continues to surge."

According to the Financial Times, the last known shipment of jet fuel to the UK from the Middle East is expected to arrive this week. The UK has sourced at least half of its jet fuel from the Middle East in recent months after turning away from Russian supplies following the war in Ukraine.

Airlines Already Cutting Routes

Several carriers have already begun responding to the crisis:

• Air New Zealand is cancelling 1,100 flights through to early May
• SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) is cancelling more than 1,000 planned flights next month
• United Airlines has cut around 5% of its capacity on routes it considers less profitable

Analysts expect further cuts from European carriers in the coming days as fuel availability tightens and prices remain elevated.

What It Means for Travellers to Spain

For the millions of Britons, expats, and tourists planning trips to Spain over Easter and the summer, the message is clear: check your flight status, consider travel insurance that covers fuel-related cancellations, and watch for updates from your airline.

The situation is evolving rapidly. Airlines are already cancelling less profitable routes first — which can include off-peak or thin-margin routes — but if the fuel shortage reaches the levels analysts are warning of, more mainstream holiday routes could follow.

Anyone with flights booked to Alicante, Málaga, Barcelona, or other Spanish destinations in the coming weeks should monitor developments closely and ensure they understand their rights to rebooking or refunds if their flight is cancelled.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published March 31, 2026, with additional information from the Financial Times and aviation analyst Alex Macheras. The situation is evolving — always check directly with your airline for the latest information. This article is for informational purposes only.