Global Airlines Cut Millions of Seats Amid Middle East Fuel Crisis Airlines worldwide are reducing schedules and increasing fares as the Iran conflict threatens to disrupt jet fuel supplies, with Gulf carriers and European operators among the hardest hit. Airlines worldwide have made significant cuts to their schedules in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which threaten to disrupt global jet fuel supplies. Over the past two weeks, carriers have reduced seat availability by two million, with the total number of seats dropping from 132,619,704 in mid-April to 130,674,864 by late April, according to data from Cirium. The number of flights also declined by more than 13,000 during the same period, from 859,167 to 846,162. Gulf airlines, including Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Emirates, have been particularly affected by airspace closures and rising fuel costs since the conflict began on February 28.Lufthansa has led the way in cancellations, cutting 20,000 flights between May and October, while Air China has axed nearly 500,000 seats, including domestic routes. European operators such as Air France-KLM and SAS have also scaled back their schedules, and US-based Spirit Airlines has collapsed, citing rising oil prices as a key factor. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has warned that major European airlines are now scrambling to cancel more flights in the coming weeks.The situation is further complicated by a fragile truce in the Middle East, which remains under strain following recent exchanges between the US and Iran in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global crude supply, has become a focal point of tension, with 20% of the world's oil passing through it. The conflict has already led to disruptions at major airports, including Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and London Heathrow.Airlines across Europe are responding to the crisis with a mix of fare increases, capacity reductions, and operational adjustments. AEGEAN Airlines expects the suspension of Middle East flights and rising fuel prices to impact its first-quarter results significantly. Air France-KLM anticipates a $2.4 billion increase in its fuel bill this year and has downgraded its capacity outlook for 2025. The group has also announced plans to raise long-haul ticket prices by €50 per round trip to offset fuel costs.EasyJet has warned of a larger half-year pre-tax loss, while IAG, the parent company of British Airways, has said it will increase ticket prices to reflect higher jet fuel costs. Lufthansa has introduced a new low-cost fare option, 'Economy Basic,' which limits free carry-on baggage to a small backpack or laptop bag. SAS has canceled 1,000 flights in April due to high oil and jet fuel prices, while TAP and TUI have adjusted their profit outlooks and introduced fuel surcharges.Turkish Airlines and SunExpress have imposed temporary fuel surcharges on routes between Turkey and Europe, and Virgin Atlantic has added similar charges but remains uncertain about returning to profitability this year. Volotea has linked ticket prices to fuel costs, potentially adding a post-purchase surcharge of up to €14 per passenger. The US military has reported destroying six Iranian small boats, cruise missiles, and drones, escalating tensions further.The average global jet fuel price has risen to $181 per barrel, marking the first increase in a month, according to the International Air Transport Association