A new reality is setting in for travellers worldwide: rising fees, fewer flight options and difficult decisions about whether a trip is worth the cost. The culprit is volatile oil and jet fuel prices, which have spiked sharply since the war in the Middle East began and fighting near the narrow Strait of Hormuz created a chokepoint for global oil supplies. But the uncertainty behind those swings remains, especially after Iran closed the key artery for global oil shipments again in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. In other words, even when oil prices drop, travellers may not see relief right away. Travel plans upendedThese moves show why major carriers are better positioned to weather the spike in fuel prices than low-cost carriers, whose "no frills" model leaves them with less flexibility to absorb unexpected costs.

Source: The Telegraph April 09, 2026 12:38 UTC