- United confirmed capacity trim up to five percentage points.
- Fuel prices assumed at €161 per barrel equivalent for 2026.
- Cuts target unprofitable segments and Chicago O Hare.
- Full schedule restores in the autumn.
- Executives predict €368mfuel cost rise this quarter.
United Airlines confirmed it will trim near term capacity by as much as 5pc to address elevated fuel prices from the Middle East conflict. The plan assumes fuel prices stay at around 161 euro per barrel for the rest of the year and above 92 euro until the end of 2027. The situation adds 10.1bn euro in annual expense for jet fuel.
Changes include pruning unprofitable segments and red eye flights in the second and third quarter of 2026 plus capacity cut of 1pc at Chicago O Hare. Demand remains the strongest seen in the near term and United restores the full schedule in the autumn. Major airline executives predict a rise of around 368m euro in fuel costs for the current quarter.
United has the financial resources to continue at full speed including all aircraft deliveries. The carrier recorded its best profit result of less than 4.6bn euro.
Scott Kirby shared “if prices stayed at this level it would mean an extra 10.1bn euro in annual expense just for jet fuel. The current plan assumes that fuel prices will remain elevated for the rest of the year and remain above 92 euro until the end of 2027. Demand remains the strongest we have ever seen in the near term and United has the financial firepower to continue at full speed including taking all aircraft deliveries expected for the next few years.”
