Jet Fuel Shortage: What It Means for Your Flight and Your Rights

The reports of a global jet fuel shortage triggered by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has got a lot of passengers worried about their upcoming flights. The potential for a fuel shortage in Europe is sparking concerns — the continent relies heavily on Middle Eastern imports — but airlines are also cancelling flights across North America, Africa, Asia, and beyond, attributing the decision to the fuel shortage.

Airlines are cutting flights, adding surcharges, and overhauling schedules ahead of the peak summer travel season. If you have a flight booked, or you're trying to plan travel in the coming months, this guide explains exactly where you stand: what airlines can and cannot do during a jet fuel crisis, what you're owed if things go wrong, and what you can do right now to protect yourself.

On this page:

What is the jet fuel shortage and why does it matter for passengers?
Which airlines are cutting flights or adding surcharges?
Can airlines add a fuel surcharge to a ticket you've already paid for?
Your rights if your flight is canceled or delayed
EC 261 and the jet fuel crisis: will you get compensation?
Tips for passengers flying during the fuel shortage
Passengers outside the EU and UK
Frequently asked questions

What is the jet fuel shortage and why does it matter for passengers?

Since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February 2026 and the subsequent disruption to the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway through which roughly 20% of global oil and a significant share of the world's jet fuel supply passes — there have been concerns about a fuel shortage.

What does a jet fuel shortage mean for you as a passenger? Several things are already happening or becoming more likely:

• Flight cancellations and route cuts, as airlines park less fuel-efficient aircraft and withdraw less profitable routes

• Higher airfares, particularly on long-haul and international routes, due to reduced capacity and increased costs

• Fuel surcharges being added to new bookings

Which airlines are cutting flights due to the jet fuel shortage?

Confirmed disruptions as of April 2026 include:

Flight cancellations and reductions:

KLM announced 160 intra-European route cancellations, citing "rising kerosene costs." SAS has cut around 1,000 flights in April. Lufthansa is grounding 27 short-haul aircraft and retiring four long-haul A340-600s ahead of schedule. Cathay Pacific is canceling around 2% of scheduled passenger flights between mid-May and end of June. Norse Atlantic has withdrawn its London Gatwick–Los Angeles service.

Fuel surcharges on new bookings:

Air France-KLM is adding €50 to long-haul round trips. SunExpress is adding €10 to Turkey–Europe tickets from May 2026. Virgin Atlantic, Thai Airways, and several Asian carriers have revised their fuel charges upward.

Other cost pass-throughs:

In the US, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and Frontier have raised checked baggage fees. While no major US carrier has introduced a formal fuel surcharge, the effect on the total cost of travel is similar.

The situation is fluid. More airlines are expected to reduce schedules or introduce new charges as the fuel crisis continues.

Can airlines add a fuel surcharge to a ticket you've already paid for?

This is one of the most pressing questions passengers are asking right now — and the answer is almost always no.

Airlines are legally entitled to introduce fuel surcharges on new bookings. But once you have a confirmed, paid ticket, the price is locked in. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, airlines operating in or to the EU are legally required to display the full price of a ticket transparently from the start of the booking process. Fuel surcharges must be included in the advertised price. Any additional charges added after purchase do not meet this transparency requirement and are not enforceable.

In plain terms: airlines cannot legally demand extra money from passengers who have already completed their purchase.

Your rights if your flight Is canceled or delayed

Regardless of the reason for a cancellation or significant delay — including a fuel crisis — you have rights. In the EU, these are set out in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (often called EC 261 or EU 261), one of the strongest passenger protection laws in the world. The UK has an almost-identical law.

Reroutings and refunds

If your flight is canceled, your airline must offer you a choice between:

• A full refund of your unused ticket (including return legs if continuing no longer makes sense)

• Rerouting to your destination at the earliest opportunity on comparable conditions

• Rerouting at a later date of your choice, subject to seat availability

You are not required to accept an alternative flight that doesn't work for you. If the airline's proposed rebooking adds many hours to your journey, or is to a different airport that is much less convenient, you can ask for a better option or choose a full refund instead.

Care and assistance

This is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of EC 261: the right to care is unconditional. Even if the cancellation or delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances, your airline is still legally required to look after you.

If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled, you are entitled to:

Meals and refreshments proportionate to your waiting time (typically after a two-hour wait for short-haul flights)

Two free phone calls, emails, or messages to make alternative arrangements or contact people

Hotel accommodation if you are stranded overnight, plus transport to and from the hotel

EC 261 and the jet fuel crisis: Will you get compensation?

EC 261 also allows passengers to claim up to $650 when flights are canceled less than 2 weeks before departure.

That means airlines planning flight cancellations well in advance don't need to pay compensation to passengers — though they must offer suitable replacement flights or refund tickets.

But if your EU flight is canceled less than 14 days before you were due to fly, you have a case for EC 261 compensation.

"Extraordinary circumstances" and EC 261

Under EC 261, airlines are not required to pay cash compensation if they can prove the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

Examples given in the regulation include political instability, severe weather, and air traffic control decisions.

Does the jet fuel shortage automatically qualify as extraordinary circumstances?

Not necessarily. Airlines are expected to have risk management strategies for fuel price volatility, including hedging, and they are expected to ensure they have adequate jet fuel reserves available.

As AirHelp's legal team explains: "The fact that a fuel crisis exists does not automatically eliminate the obligations of the airlines. Each case must be analyzed to determine whether the situation was truly inevitable or whether it falls within the operational responsibility of the company."

Our advice is not to assume your claim is invalid simply because the airline says it relates to fuel. The detail of each case matters. Try our compensation checker to see if your flight qualifies in minutes.

Tips for passengers flying during the jet fuel shortage

The situation is uncertain and moving fast. Here is what you can do to protect yourself during the jet fuel crisis.

1. Don't cancel your existing booking preemptively
   If you cancel a flight voluntarily, you lose your right to a refund or compensation if the airline subsequently cancels it. If your flight is still operating, sit tight and wait for official communications before taking any action.

2. Aim for flexible flight bookings where possible
   If you're planning an upcoming trip, consider fares that allow changes or cancellations without high fees. This can provide more control if schedules shift.

3. Pay for flights with a credit card
   If your flight is canceled or the airline is slow to issue a refund, a credit card chargeback gives you a powerful additional route to getting your money back.

4. Choose refundable or flexible accommodation
   Booking hotels with free cancellation policies can help avoid additional costs if your travel plans change unexpectedly.

5. Review your travel insurance.
   Standard cancellation cover may not apply if your airline cancels a flight and offers an alternative. Check specifically whether your policy covers flight cancellations, delays, or consequential expenses like missed hotel nights. If buying new insurance now, ask about coverage for fuel crisis-related disruptions.

6. Monitor your flight status regularly
   Check your airline’s app or website frequently in the days leading up to departure. Flight tracking tools can also help you stay one step ahead by providing real-time updates on delays, cancellations, or aircraft changes. The free AirHelp App for example, not only notifies you of disruptions, it also tells you if you might be eligible for compensation.

7. Know what to do if your flight is canceled in advance
   If your airline cancels your flight you can typically request a full refund or choose an alternative flight.

8. Ask about alternative routing
   Airlines can often offer different routes to get you to your destination. Don’t hesitate to ask about options, including flights with partner airlines.

9. Know your care rights and ask for them
   If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled, ask immediately for meal vouchers and, if necessary, hotel accommodation. Keep all receipts as Airlines may reimburse reasonable costs depending on the situation.

10. Don't book speculatively
    If you're worried a future route might be cut, resist the temptation to book alternative flights as a backup. If your original flight is not canceled, you won't be entitled to a refund on either ticket.

Passengers outside the EU and UK: Your rights during the fuel shortage

Your rights depend on where you're flying from and which airline you're on. If your route is not covered by EC 261, here is what applies:

United States: US federal rules require airlines to offer a full refund for any canceled flight, or for significant schedule changes the passenger does not accept — regardless of the reason for cancellation. This right applies even on non-refundable tickets. However, unlike EC 261, there is no fixed cash compensation for delays or cancellations beyond the refund itself.

Canada: The Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) provide compensation for delays and cancellations within the airline's control. Circumstances genuinely outside the airline's control — which could include physical fuel shortages — may be excluded. Care obligations apply regardless.

Australia: The Australian Consumer Law provides some protections, but there is no equivalent to EC 261. Refunds may be available if services are not delivered, but fixed disruption compensation is not mandated.

Wherever you are flying: credit card protection and travel insurance remain your most practical safety nets for financial losses outside of statutory passenger rights frameworks.

Frequently asked questions about jet fuel shortages and passenger rights

My flight has been rebooked onto a flight that arrives a day later. Do I have to accept it?

No. Under EC 261, if you have been rebooked and the new itinerary does not work for your plans, you can reject it and request a full refund instead.

My airline has added a fuel surcharge to new bookings. Does this affect my existing ticket?

No. New surcharges on future bookings do not apply retroactively to existing confirmed tickets. Your ticket price is locked at the time of purchase.

The airline is offering me a voucher instead of a refund. Should I take it?

Only if the value works for you and you plan to fly with that airline again. You are entitled to a cash refund for a canceled flight, not just a voucher. Accepting a voucher as "full and final settlement" may limit your ability to claim further compensation. If in doubt, request a cash refund.

My airline says the cancellation is due to "extraordinary circumstances" and no compensation is owed. Is this correct?

Not necessarily. Airlines must prove that each specific cancellation could not have been avoided with all reasonable measures — it is not enough to gesture at a global fuel crisis in the news. If your flight was canceled less than 2 weeks before departure you may have a claim. Check the detail of your specific case.

I booked with a travel agent. Does this affect my rights?

No. You have the same rights under EC 261 regardless with whom you booked. However, if you booked a package holiday, your tour operator also has obligations to you. If you're outside the EU, your travel agent may have additional cancellation guarantee policies worth checking.

Has your flight been disrupted by the jet fuel shortage? AirHelp assesses each claim on its individual merits — including cases where airlines have cited the jet fuel crisis as justification. Check your eligibility here.