Maharashtra has reduced VAT on aviation turbine fuel to 7% from 18% for a limited period ending November 14, offering short-term relief to Indian airlines battling expensive jet fuel. The move targets a major cost driver, since fuel can make up 35–40% of airline spending. With Mumbai handling about 15% of air traffic, the cut should improve the airport’s competitiveness versus Delhi’s 25% VAT. Airlines now want broader tax reforms, including bringing ATF under GST.
Rising airfares and high jet fuel costs are forcing airlines to trim schedules, threatening summer travel plans. Airports Council International says steep ticket prices are weakening passenger demand, and there’s little sign of near-term relief. Fuel pressure is also being worsened by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, squeezing airline profitability and capacity.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
France’s transport minister says major flight cancellations are unlikely this summer even as Europe faces jet fuel shortage risks. Philippe Tabarot says airlines are reluctant to disrupt peak travel weeks because revenues are highest then, though some have cut capacity slightly. The government is also preparing aid, while European authorities push for solutions to avoid broader aviation disruption tied to Middle East fuel imports.
Indian travellers are facing a summer airfare shock, with many routes seeing 40-50% higher prices. The jump is being attributed to rising jet fuel costs and tighter seat availability. Travellers are adjusting plans by shortening international trips to nearby destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, or switching to cooler Indian hill stations to beat the heat.
Air travel looks set to cost more this summer as airlines grapple with rising jet fuel prices and ongoing supply disruptions. To offset higher costs, many carriers are reducing flight schedules and lifting ticket prices, especially during peak travel demand. Experts warn the global fuel crisis could keep passenger fares under pressure throughout the busy season.
France plans financial support for airlines battered by sharply higher jet fuel prices, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said. Talks with airlines included options such as deferring social security payments and extending tax deadlines. The move follows warnings from European carriers that jet fuel shortages could emerge this summer amid escalating tensions related to the Iran war.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
ITA Airways says it will not cut flights even as jet fuel costs rise. The carrier has hedged about 80% of its 2026 fuel requirements, giving it room to act. It plans a 5% to 10% fare increase this year to offset higher expenses. CEO Joerg Eberhart also noted Lufthansa’s stake expansion is still pending.
Global airlines are responding to a jet fuel cost spike and worsening supply worries tied to the Iran conflict. Carriers are removing large numbers of seats from schedules and adjusting routes disrupted by pricing pressure. For travellers, that means fewer flight options and higher ticket costs as airlines scramble to manage the new cost reality.
Spirit Airlines has ceased all operations after running out of funding, grounding its aircraft and leaving passengers stranded while refunds are processed. The shutdown puts about 17,000 jobs at risk and follows years of bankruptcies and financial setbacks. Executives blamed spiraling operational costs, with jet fuel rising sharply since the US-Iran tensions, hitting low-cost carriers hardest.
Spirit Airlines’ shutdown comes as jet fuel prices stay elevated, putting pressure on airlines and their partners. Coforge, an Indian IT services firm with a notable travel portfolio, is closely watched for potential demand and project impacts. Analysts say geopolitical tensions and the fuel crisis could worsen airline finances, raising the risk of more bankruptcies across the sector.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
OPEC+ is reportedly set to approve its third oil supply increase since disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz. With U.S.-Iran tensions threatening key Gulf routes, the move could be largely symbolic as exports face severe constraints. Oil prices have already jumped, and analysts warn of potential jet fuel shortages and further global inflation pressure.
Spirit Airlines is shutting down and has grounded flights, with around $2 billion in debt cited as a key blow. But a restructuring plan hinged on jet fuel staying near $2.24 per gallon in 2026. The Iran conflict reportedly drove fuel to $4.51 overnight, adding roughly $360 million in costs and sealing the airline’s fate.
Air India’s CEO says the airline will cut further flights as jet fuel prices soar and airspace constraints make several routes unviable, with international operations hit hardest. More schedule trimming is planned for June and July, alongside higher fares and fuel surcharges. Domestic services will also feel the pressure, while Air India pursues longer-term transformation.
Air India says it will slash around 100 daily flights until July, citing soaring ATF or jet fuel prices. In an internal note, CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline already reduced flights in April and May and will trim schedules further. The carrier also points to West Asia crisis-related airspace restrictions making longer international routes loss-making.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
American low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has shut down operations after filing for bankruptcy, becoming the first major airline hit by the Iran war. The airline cited soaring jet fuel costs, which doubled over a two-month period, and said it couldn’t secure creditor backing for a U.S. government bailout plan. The collapse is expected to impact thousands of jobs.
Jet fuel prices for international airlines have risen 5%, extending a second consecutive monthly increase. The move highlights the spillover from higher global energy costs, with oil firms now dictating pricing. In contrast, domestic airlines are seeing stability in fuel costs, giving them a temporary cushion while international carriers absorb the higher burden.
Air India plans to trim about 100 daily flights as jet fuel prices keep climbing. The biggest reductions will land on routes to Europe, North America, Australia and Singapore, adding pressure to an already strained aviation sector. The Federation of Indian Airlines warns more suspensions could follow unless the government steps in to ease the cost burden.
Nigerian airlines kept operating on Thursday after averting a shutdown sparked by soaring jet fuel prices. The spike, intensified by the Middle East war, is hitting an industry across Africa’s biggest crude producer. Even with increased jet fuel output from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, data reviewed by AFP suggests fuel costs remain stubbornly high—raising questions about how much room there is to lower prices.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
IATA chief Willie Walsh warns that airlines in Asia and Europe may face jet fuel shortages in the coming months. Soaring fuel costs are already showing up in ticket prices and straining airline resilience. Regulators are being urged to allow slot flexibility due to the extraordinary circumstances, though March traffic and forward bookings are reportedly holding steady so far.
As the Iran war escalates, European airlines are seeing jet fuel prices surge and Middle East routes face disruption, putting summer holiday plans at risk. Hedging has cushioned early impacts, but analysts warn shortages could materialize if the conflict drags on. Even with strong overall demand, some carriers report weaker forward bookings and have issued profit warnings.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.