Bureau of Transportation Statistics

U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May, an 84% increase from May 2025, driven by higher fuel prices despite a 0.6% decline in consumption. Rising costs have led airlines to raise fares, cut flights, and face vulnerability due to energy price volatility linked to the Middle East conflict and the Strait of Hormuz disruptions.

U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May 2026, an 84% increase from May 2025, driven by higher fuel prices rather than increased consumption. Fuel prices averaged $4.09 per gallon, 85% higher than the previous year, while consumption slightly declined. The rise in costs is linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to Middle East conflicts, though recent declines in fuel prices offer some relief.

U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May, an 84% increase from May 2025, driven by higher prices rather than increased consumption. Fuel costs have risen due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz from the Middle East conflict, though recent declines in prices offer some relief to airlines.

U.S. airlines spent $6.5 billion on jet fuel in April, a 78% increase from the previous year, despite slightly lower fuel consumption. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised its 2026 global airline profit forecast downward to $23 billion from $41 billion due to soaring energy costs linked to Middle East conflicts disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. airline fuel costs increased by 78 percent in April compared to April 2025, reaching nearly $6.5 billion, according to a Bureau of Transportation Statistics report. The rise is attributed to the war with Iran.

U.S. airline fuel costs increased by 78% year-over-year in April, reaching $6.5 billion, as the war in Iran entered its 100th day. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported a 26% monthly rise compared to March 2023.

Airline fuel costs increased by 56 percent in March, according to the Department of Transportation, with a total fuel expenditure of $5.06 billion for U.S. scheduled service airlines. This sharp spike occurred in the first full month after the outbreak of the Iran war. The increase is a significant development in the aviation industry.

Spirit Airlines is shutting down after two bankruptcies and a failed rescue plan, becoming the first major U.S. airline to collapse in decades. Rising fuel prices and insufficient liquidity forced the company to cancel all flights and strand passengers, with refunds pending for those who paid via vouchers or points. Other airlines like United, American, and Southwest are offering support to affected travelers.