Ryanair flight cancellations warning as Iran war fuel crisis could hit summer holidays

Ryanair may cancel up to 10% of flights through May, June and July if the Iran war continues to impact jet fuel prices, CEO Michael O’Leary has warned

Ryanair may be forced to cancel 10% of its flights this summer, according to a warning from its CEO, if the Iran conflict continues to affect jet fuel prices.

The Iran war has globally influenced fuel and energy prices as the Strait of Hormuz – a significant waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes – remains largely closed.

Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary spoke to ITV News on Thursday about the concerning situation. He stated: “We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5%, 10% of flights through May, June and July.” If anyone does have their flight cancelled, O’Leary suggested they should blame Trump rather than the airline.

Speaking to ITV News Economics Editor Joel Hills, O’Leary encouraged people to book flights for the summer sooner rather than later, to avoid escalating costs. He commented: “This has been a poorly judged attack on Iran, there doesn’t seem to be any exit plan at all.”

Speaking to SkyNews, the Ryanair boss said: “”Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market. We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated,” he told Sky News.

“We think there is a reasonable risk, some low level, maybe 10% to 25% of our supplies might be at risk through May and June, so like everyone else in this industry, we hope the war ends sooner rather than later.

“If the war finishes by April and the Strait of Hormuz reopens, then there is almost no risk to supply.”

This follows UK airline Skybus, which runs daily flights between London Gatwick and Newquay, being compelled to cancel all flights due to the fuel crisis. Flights have been cancelled from Friday (April 3) owing to the escalating cost of fuel and a decrease in passenger numbers.

Skybus has been conducting daily flights between London Gatwick and the coastal town of Newquay since November 2025 under a Public Service Obligation funded by Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport, which had been planned to operate until May 31.

Skybus managing director Jonathan Hinkles stated: “The huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf, coupled with a significant drop in new passenger bookings since mid-February’s announcement of the planned closure of the PSO air route, forms an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.

“At a time of great economic uncertainty and steps being taken to conserve energy worldwide, it is neither environmentally nor economically sound for us to continue flying with vastly reduced passenger numbers.” He expressed gratitude to passengers, local stakeholders and the Skybus team for their support.