Airline tickets, increase of up to 40%? - The reason is expensive fuel
The global aviation industry is facing one of its most serious crises in recent years, as rising prices and limited availability of jet fuel are already causing flight cancellations, ticket price hikes and route restructuring. The crisis is attributed to geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which have disrupted oil supply chains, causing spillover effects from Asia to Europe and North America.
Oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel, while jet fuel has almost doubled in a matter of weeks, reaching $195. Rising costs are not only affecting airline operations, but also the physical availability of fuel, especially in countries that depend on imports.
The first consequences are already visible. Major European airlines are reducing or rescheduling routes, preparing for a further worsening of the crisis. The cuts are focused on short and less profitable routes, where high fuel costs make the routes unsustainable.
Scandinavian Airlines is canceling about 1,000 flights, mostly short-haul, while Air New Zealand is cutting its flight schedule by 5%, canceling more than 1,100 flights. Vietnam Airlines has suspended seven domestic routes and is planning a further reduction of up to 20%.
Ryanair is considering cuts in Europe if the crisis continues, while Lufthansa has plans to ground up to 40 planes. In the United States, United Airlines is cutting flights with low demand, such as night or off-peak routes.
Airlines are bundling flights, eliminating low-profit routes and prioritizing busier routes to save fuel. At the same time, they are raising ticket prices and imposing surcharges, but room for maneuver remains limited as geopolitical instability continues.
The economic impact is manifold. The reduction in available flights limits tourism, increases travel costs, and affects commercial activities that rely on air transport. At the same time, competition for fuel and available slots intensifies, creating difficulties for smaller companies with limited reserves.
For Southern Europe, the crisis coincides with the start of the summer tourist season. If shortages continue, flight disruptions cannot be ruled out, with direct consequences for arrivals and tourism revenues.
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