A prominent European airline is planning to ax more than 100 flights, including routes to and from London, due to the fuel crisis triggered by recent events in Iran.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the national carrier of the Netherlands, will be scrapping 160 flights within the next month, evenly distributed between departures and arrivals at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The airline clarified that it is not experiencing shortages of jet fuel but is implementing this measure to control costs amidst escalating fuel prices.
Passengers impacted by these flight cancellations will be rebooked on the next available flight. Since KLM operates multiple flights daily to destinations like London and Düsseldorf, affected travelers can expect swift accommodations, as stated by the airline.
KLM is anticipating a busy holiday period in May and is ensuring that passengers can reach their vacation spots as scheduled. The canceled flights represent approximately one percent of KLM’s European flight schedule.
This move comes as airlines across Europe are adjusting their routes and fares to cope with increased operational expenses. The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe may have only about six weeks of jet fuel supply left, indicating the possibility of more flight disruptions if oil supplies continue to be restricted.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a concerning picture of the global impact of what he described as the most significant energy crisis ever faced, stemming from the disruption of oil, gas, and other critical supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
The recent decision by UK-based airline Skybus to cancel all future flights between London Gatwick and Newquay due to soaring fuel costs and declining passenger numbers further underscores the challenges faced by the aviation industry in the current economic climate.
Skybus had been operating these flights since November 2025 under a Public Service Obligation supported by Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport, with the service originally scheduled to continue until May 31. The airline’s final flights occurred on April 2.
Skybus Managing Director Jonathan Hinkles explained that the substantial increase in global fuel prices following the Gulf conflict, coupled with a sharp decrease in new bookings since the announcement of the PSO air route closure in mid-February, made it unfeasible to sustain the service through April and May.
Given the ongoing economic uncertainties and global efforts to conserve energy resources, Skybus concluded that operating with significantly reduced passenger numbers was neither environmentally nor economically viable.
