UK airlines hit by flight cancellations amid global aviation disruption

Airlines around the world cancelled approximately 13,000 flights in May, reducing global aviation capacity by nearly two million seats, as carriers grappled with soaring jet fuel prices linked to heightened geopolitical tensions. According to aviation analytics company Cirium, the reduction represents around 1.5 percent of total worldwide airline capacity.

In the United Kingdom, the government said it was “closely monitoring” national jet fuel reserves amid concerns over possible shortages. However, the Department for Transport stated that airlines were “not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel,” noting that carriers typically purchase fuel in advance while airports maintain reserve supplies, Independent reports.

Authorities are also preparing contingency measures. Airports are expected to temporarily ease slot regulations, allowing airlines to cancel flights without losing valuable take-off and landing rights if fuel shortages disrupt operations.

Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines accounted for a significant share of the cancellations, with both carriers reducing operations as part of cost-saving measures. Some Lufthansa services in the UK were affected, leading to route adjustments for passengers, including travelers originally scheduled to fly from Glasgow to Frankfurt being redirected through Edinburgh.

Heathrow Airport recorded just over 100 cancellations. However, officials said these were largely extensions of previously suspended flights to Gulf destinations, where restart dates have been delayed further.

Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines announced it was winding down operations on May 2 after failing to emerge from bankruptcy. The airline cancelled all remaining flights after reportedly failing to secure a $500 million bailout from the Trump administration.

The airline industry has faced mounting pressure from fuel prices, which have roughly doubled since the outbreak of the Iran war. In response to the deteriorating outlook, United Airlines lowered its full-year earnings forecast to between $7 and $11 per share, down from an earlier projection of $12 to $14.

The European Commission has meanwhile unveiled a package of emergency measures, dubbed “AccelerateEU,” aimed at mitigating the impact of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on Europe’s energy markets. The proposals include optimizing jet fuel distribution across EU member states to help prevent shortages.

By Vafa Guliyeva