Washington: US airlines' total fuel spending surged 83.9% year-on-year in May to $6.7 billion, driven by a sharp rise in jet fuel prices amid higher oil costs and supply concerns linked to the Middle East conflict, official data showed Tuesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the US Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that scheduled US airlines' total fuel expenditure rose to $6.66 billion in May from $3.62 billion in the same month last year. The figure was also up 3% from $6.47 billion in April.
The increase in spending came as crude oil and refined fuel markets faced pressure from supply disruptions and geopolitical risks in the Middle East, a crucial region for global energy exports. The US Energy Information Administration noted that gasoline, distillate, and jet fuel spot prices had risen rapidly following disruptions to Middle East crude oil and petroleum product exports. The administration highlighted that higher crude prices impact refined products because crude oil is typically the largest input cost for producing petroleum products.
Oil prices experienced volatility this week due to renewed tensions involving Iran and attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, which heightened concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies. During the Iran war, Brent crude prices surged as high as $120 per barrel before stabilizing around $70 with peace talks. However, the international benchmark climbed above $76 per barrel on Wednesday after fresh US strikes on Iran and renewed shipping security concerns in the strategic waterway, a channel through which a significant share of global oil trade passes.
In May, US scheduled airlines consumed 1.63 billion gallons (6.17 billion liters) of fuel, marking a 3.5% increase from April but a 0.6% decrease compared to May 2025. The cost per gallon of fuel was $4.09 in May, a slight decrease of 0.5% from $4.11 in April. On an annual basis, the fuel cost per gallon saw a significant jump of 85% from $2.21 in May last year.
Fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses for airlines, making them highly susceptible to fluctuations in crude oil and jet fuel prices. Additionally, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, following their merger, now report combined fuel data under Alaska Airlines.