Jet Fuel Prices Soar Due to Middle East War, Scandinavian Airlines Cancels Hundreds of Flights

European airline Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has been forced to cancel more than 130 flight schedules across Norway this week. This drastic step was taken by the company in response to the surge in global fuel prices triggered by rising tensions in the Middle East.

According to a report by public broadcaster NRK, at least 119 flights from major airports in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim have been cancelled since Monday afternoon (16/3). That number continued to swell, reaching 133 cancellations by Tuesday morning (17/3) local time.

SAS management stated that this disruption is part of an “emergency measure” to strengthen the company’s operational resilience amid sharp fluctuations in energy prices. Head of Communications for SAS Norway, Oystein Schmidt, noted that disruptions to tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz are the main factor behind the skyrocketing operational costs for the airline.

However, this step has sparked sharp criticism from within the company. Chairman of the SAS Norway Pilots’ Association, Roger Klokset, assessed that the reason of surging fuel prices is merely an excuse to cover up chronic staff shortages. He revealed that frustration levels among the flight crew are very high due to working conditions deemed to violate agreements.

SAS declined to comment on internal labour issues, reiterating that they are operating in accordance with existing agreements and maintaining dialogue with the unions.

This crisis reflects the significant pressures facing the European aviation sector. With one in five of the world’s oil supplies typically passing through the Strait of Hormuz now disrupted, jet fuel price volatility is expected to continue haunting the airline industry in the long term if the conflict does not soon subside.