Published: 15:02, April 12, 2026 | Updated: 18:05, April 12, 2026
Cathay Pacific to cut flights from mid-May to end-June as jet fuel prices surge
By Agencies
This Jan 14, 2026, photo shows the logo of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd near a check-in counter of the airline at the Hong Kong International Airport. (SHAMIM ASHRAF / CHINA DAILY)

Cathay Pacific Airways said on ​Saturday it will cut some flights from mid-May ‌until the end of June, citing soaring jet fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The ​airline will cancel about 2 percent of its ​scheduled passenger flights from May 16 to June ⁠30, 2026, while its budget arm HK Express ​will cut about 6 percent from May 11, it said.

The ​carrier said the suspension of its passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh will stay in place until June 30.

ALSO READ: Cathay to increase fuel surcharge as oil prices remain volatile

Last month, ​Cathay's CEO Ronald Lam said the Hong Kong-based airline ​would press ahead with plans to expand passenger capacity by ‌10 percent ⁠this year, pointing to strong demand for long-haul flights to North America, Europe and Australia after the Iran war cut traffic through the Middle East.

Beyond June, ​Cathay Pacific ​and HK ⁠Express plan to operate all their scheduled passenger flights, Cathay said in the ​statement.

US President Donald Trump's two-week ceasefire with ​Iran ⁠is unlikely to bring quick relief to the global aviation industry, executives said this week.

READ MORE: Here are the airlines raising fares amid wild oil-price swings

Industry officials warned that jet ⁠fuel ​supplies will remain tight and ​costly for months, even if Iran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz.