Cathay Pacific to cut flights to deal with increasing cost of jet fuel
One of the world’s top-ranked airlines says it will cut flights from mid-May until the end of June, citing soaring jet fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Cathay Pacific Airways said on Saturday it will cut some flights from mid-May until the end of June, citing soaring jet fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The airline will cancel about 2 per cent of its scheduled passenger flights from May 16 to June 30, 2026, while its budget arm HK Express will cut about 6 per cent from May 11, it said.
The carrier said the suspension of its passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh will stay in place until June 30.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Last month, Cathay’s CEO Ronald Lam said the Hong Kong-based airline would press ahead with plans to expand passenger capacity by 10 per cent this year, pointing to strong demand for long-haul flights to North America, Europe and Australia after the Iran war cut traffic through the Middle East.
Beyond June, Cathay Pacific and HK Express plan to operate all their scheduled passenger flights, Cathay said in the statement.
US President Donald Trump’s two-week ceasefire with Iran is unlikely to bring quick relief to the global aviation industry, executives said this week.
Industry officials warned that jet fuel supplies will remain tight and costly for months, even if Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile in Australia, motorists are being encouraged to conserve fuel and drive less in a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign launched in response to the energy crisis.
Titled “every little bit helps”, the federal government will roll out the $20 million campaign from Monday across television, radio, online channels, billboards and posters.
The ads ask members of the public to consider using their cars less by walking or taking public transport, and provide tips to improve fuel efficiency, from “driving smoothly” to “unloading excess weight”.
It comes two weeks after national cabinet met and announced a national fuel security plan.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the government was appealing to Australians who wanted to do their bit as the energy crisis gripped the nation.
“This is really a team Australia moment where all of us can do a little bit,” she told Sky News on Sunday.
“This is about how everyday Australians can help and the little things that they can do that will make a big difference, and to make sure that our fuel continues to flow.”
But Liberal frontbencher James Paterson said Australians did not want to be lectured in “taxpayer-funded political propaganda about driving less”.
More than 170 service stations are still without diesel across Australia as Iran chokes shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit channel, in response to US and Israeli strikes.
A temporary ceasefire has been brokered, but disruptions in the strait continued, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen warning of a “long tail” to the conflict.
