Emirates has responded to the challenges by operating a reduced flight schedule to over 100 destinations worldwide. The airline emphasized that “the safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.” Customers booked on Emirates flights between February 28 and May 31 are eligible to rebook or request a refund.

Meanwhile, Ryanair has cancelled millions of seats on flights to popular holiday destinations, citing increased operational costs and disagreements with airports. The airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, warned that if the conflict in the Middle East continues, they may have to cancel 5% to 10% of flights through the upcoming months of May, June, and July.

Air India has also been affected, having increased its fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights effective April 10, 2026. The airline operates approximately 60 weekly flights between India and the UK, and they clarified that tickets already issued will not incur the new surcharge unless changes are made that require recalculating the fare.

Skybus, on the other hand, ceased all flights between Newquay Airport and London Gatwick from April 3, 2026, due to rising fuel costs. Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Skybus, stated that “the huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf… forms an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.”

As the situation develops, the exact impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on future flight operations remains unclear. Details remain unconfirmed, leaving travelers and airlines alike in a state of uncertainty.

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The conflict in Iran has led to a dramatic increase in fuel costs, with the price of Brent crude oil now exceeding $100 a barrel. This surge in prices has triggered a ripple effect across the airline industry, compelling Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, to issue warnings about potential flight cancellations if the conflict persists. He stated, “If this continues through to the end of April, we’re looking at a risk to supplies in early June.”

The UK, being heavily reliant on Middle Eastern fuel, is particularly vulnerable to these rising prices. As a result, the airline industry in the region is feeling the strain. Other airlines, such as Skybus and Aurigny, have already begun to react; Skybus announced the cancellation of its flights between Cornwall Airport Newquay and London Gatwick starting April 2, while Aurigny is reducing flights between Guernsey and London City airport due to increased fuel costs and declining passenger bookings.

In addition to Ryanair’s potential cancellations, Air New Zealand has announced it will be axing 1,100 flights until early May as a direct response to the rising jet fuel prices. Furthermore, Ryanair was forced to scrap its 12 daily services to Jordan when the conflict erupted, highlighting the immediate impact of geopolitical events on airline operations.

O’Leary expressed the uncertainty surrounding the situation, stating, “We’re all facing an unknown scenario.” The airline is targeting 216 million passengers for the coming year, but these projections may need to be adjusted if cancellations become widespread.

In a broader context, the ongoing Iran war has had a global impact on fuel and energy prices, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut. This geopolitical tension has raised concerns about fuel supply disruptions, which could further complicate the situation for airlines.

Reaction from the field

As airlines grapple with the rising costs, O’Leary has indicated that some of the increased expenses may need to be passed on to customers to ensure sustainable air services. He remarked, “Unfortunately, we have to pass on some of the resulting costs to customers to ensure sustainable air services to and from Guernsey.” This sentiment reflects a growing trend among airlines facing similar challenges.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how many flights Ryanair will ultimately cancel, as the situation continues to evolve. No British airlines have cancelled flights as of yet, but the potential for disruptions looms large depending on fuel supply stability in the coming months.

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