Major airlines across North America and Europe are canceling summer travel routes as jet fuel prices doubled following the outbreak of war with Iran in late February, threatening the most severe disruption to air travel in modern history.

Airlines Forced to Cut Routes

Delta Air Lines announced Friday it will eliminate four routes from New York, Detroit, and Boston through September. Air Canada is suspending service between Toronto, Montreal, and New York’s JFK Airport from June through October. The carriers cite unsustainable operating costs as jet fuel, which typically represents 25 to 30 percent of airline expenses, has skyrocketed since fighting began February 28. Airlines sold tickets months ago based on stable fuel price projections but now face impossible math on certain routes.

European carriers face even steeper challenges. Dutch carrier KLM and Germany’s Lufthansa both announced schedule reductions, with Lufthansa grounding an entire regional airline this week. International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol warned that European airports maintain only a six-week jet fuel supply before reserves run dry. “Some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of a lack of jet fuel,” Birol stated, calling the situation “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced in history.”

Summer Travel Plans At Risk

Airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt told CBS News he has never witnessed disruption on this scale. American travelers booking European vacations face particular uncertainty. Flights may require unscheduled fuel stops, extending travel time significantly. U.S. carriers hold a slight advantage since America produces most of its own jet fuel domestically, but international routes remain vulnerable. Stephen Rooney, lead economist at Tourism Economics, explained that airlines cannot simply raise prices on already-sold tickets, forcing route cancellations instead.

What This Means

The crisis stems from disrupted oil tanker traffic through strategic shipping lanes, blocking roughly 20 percent of global oil supply. Industry analysts expect the fuel shortage to persist for weeks or months even after tanker routes reopen, as supply chains require extended time to stabilize. Airlines are directly contacting affected passengers with alternative travel options, but summer travel plans for thousands of American families now hang in the balance as carriers prioritize profitable routes and cancel money-losing flights they cannot afford to operate.