A number of major global air carriers are cutting the number of flights amid a sharp rise in the price of aviation kerosene, Kazinform reports, citing DW.

Dutch airline KLM announced the cancellation of 80 roundtrip flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport in May. The company attributed this to rising kerosene prices, not a shortage, and stated that the intra-European routes being cut were no longer economically viable. German airline Lufthansa and American airline United Airlines also cut their flight schedules for profitability reasons.

Analytics company Cirium warns that global air passenger traffic will decline by approximately 3% in May, contrary to previously predicted growth of 4-6% by the end of 2026.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Director General Fatih Birol stated that European countries have approximately six weeks' worth of jet fuel remaining. He warned that if supplies do not resume, airlines will be forced to cancel flights.

The fuel shortage is attributed to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately a fifth of global oil trade passes under normal conditions. Jet fuel prices in Europe have reached record highs: according to IATA, the average fuel price exceeds 1600 USD per ton—more than double the pre-crisis level.