Major airline cancels 160 flights from next month as Iran war causes fuel price surge
The carrier announced it will cancel more than 160 flights in May, including routes to and from the UK, as rising fuel costs force the airline to cut capacity.
A major European airline is set to cancel more than 100 flights - including services to and from London - as fuel costs soar amidst the Iran conflict.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Netherlands' flag carrier, will axe 160 flights over the coming month, split evenly between departures and arrivals at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The airline confirmed it is not facing jet fuel supply problems, but has taken this decision as a cost-saving measure in light of rising fuel prices.
"Passengers affected by these changes will be rebooked onto the next available flight. As these are destinations KLM serves multiple times a day, such as London and Düsseldorf, travellers can usually be accommodated quickly," the airline said.
"KLM expects a busy May holiday period and is making sure passengers can travel to their holiday destinations as planned."
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The reductions account for approximately one per cent of KLM's European flight programme.
This move comes as part of a wider pattern of European carriers reducing capacity to tackle rising operational costs.
Since the conflict began at the end of February, jet fuel prices have almost doubled, rising from $2.50 (£1.85) a gallon on Feb. 27 to $4.88 (£3.61) a gallon as of April 2.
In certain areas, prices are even steeper. Florida-based Spirit Airlines could reportedly face liquidation as early as this week, having filed for bankruptcy for a second time in under a year.
Although the carrier has been battling financial difficulties since 2020, soaring costs are believed to be compounding the problem further.
Spirit is understood to be in discussions with creditors over how to proceed amid its escalating financial woes, with an outright liquidation emerging as a serious possibility.
"We don't comment on market rumors and speculation," Spirit said in a statement.
