Scandinavian Airlines Cancels 1,000 Flights Due to Fuel Costs

Scandinavian Airlines announced it will cancel at least 1,000 flights in April as a direct response to the significant increase in jet fuel prices, which have doubled over the past ten days. CEO Anko van der Werff stated that the airline is attempting to absorb these costs, but the situation has become untenable.

The airline had already canceled a few hundred flights in March to protect traffic levels. The cancellations are expected to coincide with the Easter period when traffic typically sees a normal dip.

Although the airline operates around 800 flights daily, the cancellations will primarily affect domestic routes in Norway, with fewer impacts in Sweden and Denmark. The rise in fuel prices is attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the Israeli attack on Iran in late February, which led to retaliatory actions affecting oil installations in the Gulf region.

Other airlines, including Air France, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Air India, and Qantas, are also raising fares in response to these increased fuel costs.