President Donald Trump says the federal government may need to help Spirit Airlines as the ultra-low-cost carrier struggles with surging fuel costs and a shaky bankruptcy exit plan. The remarks add a political twist to one of the most closely watched airline crises of 2026.
Lufthansa Group is trimming 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule through October as surging jet fuel prices force a broader rethink of its European network.
U.S. budget airlines are asking Washington for temporary tax relief as soaring jet fuel prices add pressure to fares, fees, and already fragile business models.
Airlines across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Gulf are suspending routes, trimming capacity, and raising fees as Middle East disruption and fuel costs reshape summer travel.
American Airlines said it is not interested in merger discussions with United Airlines, pushing back on reports that United had raised the idea with senior U.S. officials. The response sharply reduces the chances of a deal that would have redrawn the U.S. airline industry.
Saudia and adidas have launched the Made to Fly travel pack, a new collaboration that blends sportswear, aviation, and modern Saudi identity into a regional lifestyle play.
The International Energy Agency warned that Europe may have only about six weeks of jet fuel remaining if disruptions tied to the Iran war continue. The alert raises the risk of flight cuts if supply routes stay constrained.
Qatar Airways is expanding its summer schedule from June 16, with services to more than 150 destinations as it works to restore flexibility for travelers through Doha.
European airlines are cutting flights and grounding aircraft as soaring jet fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict reshape schedules ahead of the summer travel season.
EasyJet shares fell after the airline warned that higher fuel costs and Middle East tensions are weighing on its forward outlook. The update points to a tougher balance between preserving demand and protecting margins across the low-cost airline sector.
Spirit Airlines could be nearing liquidation just months after signaling it expected to exit bankruptcy. The latest setback underscores how fragile the ultra-low-cost model has become in a market shaped by higher fuel costs, shifting traveler behavior, and intense pressure from larger rivals.
Air New Zealand will begin selling access to its long-awaited Economy Skynest from May 18, giving economy and premium economy passengers the option to book a lie-flat sleep pod on some of the world’s longest flights. The move is a notable shift in how airlines are thinking about comfort on ultra-long-haul routes.
American Airlines has raised checked bag fees and tightened Basic Economy rules, becoming the latest U.S. carrier to push more travel costs onto passengers as airlines grapple with higher fuel expenses.
Reported merger discussions between United and American have reopened the biggest question in U.S. aviation: whether the industry’s next phase will be shaped by competition or further consolidation. Even if a deal never materializes, the fact that it was raised says a great deal about the pressure building inside the market.
Volotea is facing criticism after asking some already-ticketed passengers to pay an extra fuel surcharge before departure. The amount is small, but the dispute goes to the heart of a bigger question: whether an airline ticket is really final once it has been purchased.