Weekly summary

Headline-level signals indicate potential airport strikes in Italy (June, and an air traffic control strike on May 11 affecting Rome and Naples), Spain (Palma de Mallorca, due to staffing shortages), and Edinburgh Airport (during the World Cup). These reports are based on weak evidence and require confirmation.

The EU has reported that high fuel costs are not considered "extraordinary circumstances" for flight cancellations, meaning airlines must still pay compensation. Reported cancellations are widespread across Europe, affecting Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and the UK, with some reports linking them to fuel concerns. SAS is also reported to be cutting over 1200 flights in May, impacting Polish passengers.

Lufthansa has reported the final flight date for its Airbus A340-600 fleet and is preparing a 'Plan B' for potential further delays to the Boeing 777X program. Wizz Air has introduced a new paid 'Disruption Rebooking Tool' to manage operational disruptions. Flydubai is reportedly reducing its summer program to Poland. Widespread flight delays are reported across Europe, affecting multiple countries and airlines.

Headline-level signals suggest significant travel disruption in the US due to thunderstorms, with numerous cancellations and delays reported at Dallas Love Field and Chicago O'Hare, impacting several major airlines.

Fuel costs continue to exert pressure on airlines, with IAG issuing a profit warning and ITA Airways announcing fare increases of 5-10%. Taiwan carriers are maintaining fuel surcharges despite rising costs. Emirates Group employees received a 20-week salary bonus following record profits. A crowdfunding campaign to restart Spirit Airlines has reportedly gathered significant pledges.

Singapore Airlines plans to launch Madrid flights and increase European frequencies. United Airlines has launched its first nonstop Boeing 737 MAX route to the UK. JetBlue is launching its longest nonstop route to Milan, and Air Transat is introducing new routes to the Canary Islands. The first Boeing 777-9 for Lufthansa has completed its test flight. Airbus and Embraer are reportedly competing for a KLM Cityhopper regional jet order.

Geopolitical tensions, particularly the Iran war, are reported to be driving up jet fuel costs, leading to profit warnings from British Airways' owner IAG and Lufthansa suspending 25 routes. The EU has explicitly stated that these fuel costs do not constitute 'extraordinary circumstances' for passenger compensation.

For **Ryanair**, the EU's stance on fuel costs means compensation is still due for cancellations. Ryanair's CEO has called for a ban on early-morning airport drinks due to rising unruly passenger behavior. **Wizz Air** has launched a paid rebooking tool for disruptions. **easyJet** is reported to suspend one Belgrade route. **Lufthansa** is suspending 25 routes, phasing out the A340-600, has a 'Plan B' for 777X delays, and its first 777-9 completed a test flight. No specific news for LOT, Aegean, or Sky Express was found.