An international airline has announced it is cancelling several flights over a six-week period due to the ongoing jet fuel crisis. Cathay Pacific said will cut 2% of its ​scheduled passenger flights from May 16 to June ⁠30, 2026.

The airline which flies to over 200 destinations cited the cancellations to soaring fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The carrier said it was the “last resort” but was due to the “increased costs”. Affected passengers will be transferred onto flights departing within 24 hours of their originally scheduled departure times.

With more than 10,000 flights operated each month, this results in hundreds of cancellations and disrupts travel plans for thousands of passengers.

In a statement, they said: “All affected customers will be offered protection onto flights departing within 24 hours of their originally scheduled flights.

“The ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East continues to negatively impact the price of jet fuel […] placing huge cost pressure on airlines around the world.”

The airline said the suspension of its passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh will stay in place until June 30. Both passenger and some cargo operations will remain grounded unless the situation drastically changes.

The raging war is pushing fuel prices higher mainly through its impact on global oil and gas supply chains, especially around the Strait of Hormuz which is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

This comes after the US military saud it will begin a blockade of Iranian ports from 10am ET, (2pm GMT, 3pm BST and 5.30pm in Iran) from today, effectively seizing control of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command says the blockade will be applied equally to ships from all countries.

However, it says that its forces will not interfere with the free movement of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, provided they are traveling to or from ports outside Iran.