A leading airline will be suspending numerous flights until the conclusion of summer due to escalating jet fuel prices amidst the conflict between the US and Iran. United Airlines, headquartered in Chicago, has announced plans to trim five percent of its flights during the second and third quarters of 2026, impacting a network comprising 4,000 domestic and 800 international routes. CEO Scott Kirby conveyed in a communication to employees that the company is bracing for oil prices to surge up to $175 per barrel, with the assumption that prices will remain elevated until the close of 2027.
The strategic reduction in flights will primarily target less popular routes, specifically focusing on off-peak periods such as overnight services and flights scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Services to Tel Aviv and Dubai have already been halted due to the ongoing conflict, with plans to reinstate the full flight schedule in the fall.
In a parallel development, British Airways announced the cancellation of flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv until May 31, along with Doha flights suspended until April 30, citing the volatile situation in the Middle East and airspace uncertainties as the primary reasons for the decision.
Dubai International Airport, which registered nearly 90 million international passengers in 2025, emerged as the world’s busiest airport for international travelers. The month of December 2025 witnessed a record 8.7 million passengers passing through the airport, connecting travelers to 291 destinations in 110 countries.
The UK Foreign Office has advised exercising caution and reconsidering non-essential travel to the UAE and other Gulf states due to heightened regional tensions. Travelers already in the UAE are urged to abide by local authorities’ directives, register their presence with the UK government, and remain vigilant for abrupt changes in the security landscape.