KLM has announced it will cancel 160 European flights over the coming month as surging jet fuel costs begin to weigh on airline operations - another sign that the Middle East crisis is starting to heavily impact European carriers.
The airline said the cancellations account for less than 1% of its total European schedule and confirmed it is not currently facing physical shortages of jet fuel.
The move comes amid growing concern over fuel availability and pricing, with the head of the International Energy Agency warning that Europe may have as little as six weeks of jet fuel reserves due to ongoing supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. Airlines across the region are responding by adjusting capacity, introducing fuel surcharges and preparing for a more volatile summer season.
Low-cost carriers are also feeling the impact. easyJet has reported a £25 million hit from higher fuel costs in a single month and warned that bookings are slightly down year-on-year, while Michael O'Leary has cautioned that fares are likely to rise if disruption continues. The pressure is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, raising the risk of further cancellations and reduced capacity across key European routes.
Network airlines are taking more structural action. Lufthansa Group is accelerating fleet and capacity cuts, including the early shutdown of its CityLine regional operation and the retirement of older aircraft, as it seeks to offset sharply higher fuel bills.
Together, these developments point to a broader tightening of capacity across Europe’s aviation market, as airlines grapple with rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty and the prospect of sustained disruption through the peak summer travel period.