Low-cost airlines cut flights as fuel crisis drives up costs

Low-cost airlines are scaling back flight operations as rising jet fuel prices linked to a broader fuel supply crisis put increasing pressure on the aviation sector.

Dan Jørgensen warned, in remarks cited by BFM, that budget carriers are being hit hardest by the surge in fuel costs, raising concerns that travel plans for many passengers could be disrupted.

Among the most affected airlines are Ryanair, Transavia, and Volotea. Some have already announced cancellations within their spring and summer schedules, while others have warned that ticket prices may rise.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said the airline is reducing its flight program by 10% from Dublin this summer and by half from Berlin starting in October, citing rising costs and uncertainty that are weighing on demand.

Analysts say low-cost carriers are particularly exposed to fuel price increases due to their thin profit margins. If current price levels persist, they are likely to continue cutting routes and reducing operational costs.

Other airlines have also announced adjustments. Air Transat has reduced its flight schedule by 6% between May and October, while AirAsia X has cancelled a number of flights and routes.

Meanwhile, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the airline does not currently plan to cut capacity, expressing confidence that competitors’ reductions may ease pressure on the market.

Major airline groups are also revising their schedules. Lufthansa has announced plans to cancel 20,000 flights through the end of October, while Air France-KLM is partially reducing operations at its subsidiary Transavia.

Industry estimates suggest that, amid disruptions to fuel supplies from Persian Gulf countries, airlines are prioritising cuts to less profitable routes, particularly during the peak summer travel season. This trend is expected to drive up ticket prices and reduce overall flight availability.

By Tamilla Hasanova