British Airways Warns Flight Prices Will Rise Amid Jet Fuel Crisis

British Airways CEO Sean Doyle warned on June 7, 2026, that air fares will rise further if jet fuel costs remain high. The price surge follows the start of the Iran war in February 2026 and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which provides approximately 40% of Europe’s jet fuel.

Why are air fares increasing?

The primary driver for the anticipated price hikes is the soaring cost of jet fuel. According to data reported by City AM, jet fuel currently costs $1,710 a metric tonne. This represents an increase of over 130% compared to the $742 price tag recorded in 2025.

Doyle told the Financial Times that there is no getting away from the reality of the situation, stating that if fuel goes up, fares have to go up. While ceasefire talks have occurred, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, maintaining pressure on fuel supplies for European carriers.

Which flights and ticket classes are most affected?

The impact of these costs is not distributed evenly across all services. British Airways issued a warning in May 2026 that it would increase prices to offset fuel expenses, a move that specifically affected business class fares.

Doyle indicated that long-haul and premium services will see a more significant price pass-through than short-haul leisure routes. He explained the distinction based on the airline’s customer base:

A brand like BA, which has got a lot of long-haul, a lot of corporate, a lot of premium, we’d expect maybe to have more pass-through of prices than maybe a carrier who’s solely competing for leisure short-haul.Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways

When will flights to the Gulf resume?

British Airways is planning to resume flights to the Gulf region within the next few months, having paused these operations after the war began in February 2026.

However, a return to Dubai will take longer. Doyle stated that flights to Dubai will not resume until October 2026 or later. He noted that Dubai has historically been the airline’s biggest winter destination and confirmed the route will return whether it takes a year or two.

How is the wider aviation industry responding to the fuel crisis?

The surge in fuel costs has placed the broader airline industry under significant strain, leading to widespread ticket price hikes and flight cancellations.

Several major carriers have already reduced their schedules to manage the crisis:

• Air New Zealand cut 1,100 flights between February 2026 and early May 2026.
• Scandinavian group SAS is cancelling 1,000 flights in July 2026.

Both airlines have indicated that these cancellations primarily affect domestic routes. The financial instability of the sector has led to warnings of potential collapses. In May 2026, Ryanair’s finance boss stated he wouldn’t be surprised if several airline rivals went bust later in 2026 as the Iran war continues to spike fuel costs.