Airlines cut 13,000 flights in May as jet fuel prices soar

Airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally in May due to soaring jet fuel prices caused by Middle East conflict, removing nearly two million seats from schedules. Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the war began, reaching $1,838 per tonne by early April, prompting major carriers like Lufthansa, Air France, and Delta to trim their summer schedules. The UK government is introducing contingency measures to allow airlines to cancel flights without losing airport slots, while the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages by June.