The world's largest airlines are canceling flights en masse as a jet fuel crisis triggered by Middle East conflict tightens its grip. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 19 of the world's 20 biggest carriers are reducing capacity for May. The firm has revised its initial growth forecast for the year, now predicting a potential decline of up to 3% under some scenarios.
The cuts stem from severe pressure on global jet fuel supplies and prices, which the source article attributes to the US and Israeli war on Iran. This conflict has disrupted supply chains, trapping oil in storage facilities across the region. The resulting scarcity and cost surge are forcing carriers to make difficult scheduling decisions.