- US airlines cut less profitable flights amid high fuel costs
- United, American and Southwest removing cheaper routes
- Average summer air fares about 25pc higher year-on-year
- Jet fuel prices spike due to Middle East conflict
- Carriers raising checked bag fees to offset costs
Major US carriers including United, American and Southwest are removing cheaper and less profitable flights from their schedules in the final months of the year. Executives state demand remains solid but higher jet fuel prices are prompting capacity reductions on lower-yielding routes. Average air fares in the summer months were about 25pc higher than a year earlier.
Jet fuel prices have spiked significantly following supply disruptions tied to the ongoing conflict involving Iran making aviation fuel the industry’s second-largest expense behind labour. Airlines are proactively focusing cuts on marginal regional routes, red-eye flights and off-peak days like Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays rather than large-scale airport exits.
United Airlines slashed a notable portion of its off-peak and marginal capacity pointing to a higher-for-longer fuel cost reality. Southwest Airlines described its schedule adjustments as minimal focusing on targeted capacity trimming. Almost every major carrier has raised checked bag fees and introduced fuel-related adjustments to help offset ballooning operating costs.
