News Hero
Back to Discover
Channel
BBC World Service May 14, 2026

The Impact of Rising Jet Fuel Prices on Flights

Jet fuel is a type of kerosene made from crude oil. The war in Iran has disrupted global supplies of oil, leading to a significant increase in jet fuel prices. Airlines are now worried about running out of fuel, which could lead to more flight cancellations.

Under normal circumstances, flights get cancelled for many reasons, including bad weather, mechanical issues, and low demand. However, now airlines are cancelling flights due to fuel concerns. Budget airlines, in particular, are more likely to cancel flights if they are not full, as they operate on a business model that relies on full flights.

Long-haul flights are also being affected, as airlines are looking to reduce their fuel consumption. However, short-haul flights are still operating as usual, with airlines trying to fill as many seats as possible to minimize fuel costs.

Logo

Analyzing...
An error occurred. Please try again.

Video Summary