Jetstar has cut some flights on its domestic and trans-Tasman networks, as the war in Iran has driven up jet fuel prices and disrupted international air travel.
In a statement to 1News, a Jetstar spokesperson said the airline had made some “temporary changes” to its schedule.
The airline cited “a rise in jet fuel prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East and other rising costs” as the main driver for the changes.
“We are adjusting flights on select routes where there are multiple flights per day so that we get customers on their way as near to their original flight times as possible.”
It said 12% of scheduled services had been impacted by the changes.
Impacted services included those between Auckland and Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, Auckland and Sydney, and Auckland and Brisbane.
“All impacted passengers have been contacted directly, and most have been offered same-day travel.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their understanding.”
Some adjustments were also made to optimise Jetstar’s fleet across its network due to “engineering and fleet” requirements.
The airline urged anyone whose new flight time does not suit them to contact them to discuss their options.
Like petrol, jet fuel prices have been on the rise since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February.
In retaliation, Iran attacked ships in the Persian Gulf and has targeted oil infrastructure across the region.
Its efforts have effectively stopped freight from travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, a passage through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.
It’s caused the price of oil to sharply increase, raising the price of jet fuel above US$4 per gallon.
It’s not just Jetstar cutting back flights, with the Samoan Observer reporting yesterday that Air New Zealand had cancelled four return flights to Samoa for April and May.
The airline earlier said it would cancel 1100 flights from early March through to early May, but most passengers would be moved to a flight on the same day.
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