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A Dozen Airlines Put a Number on the Fuel Spike. Here’s How Much They Clawed Back
['Gordon Smith', 'Curated By', 'Airline Reporter', 'Gordon Smith Is Airlines Editor At Skift', 'Editor At Airline Weekly. He S Covered The Industry For More Than Years Across Television', 'Print', 'Digital Platforms. Send Stories Tips Via Signal', 'Arda', 'Skift']
Skift
Airlines spent much of the spring warning investors that soaring fuel prices would hammer profits.
IATA expects jet fuel to average $152 per barrel in 2026, up from $90 in 2025, lifting it from roughly a quarter of industry operating expenses to nearly a third.
The Iran war sent jet fuel to four-year highs, forcing airlines to cut capacity, delay spending, and, in some cases, withdraw guidance.
Although prices have eased since April's peak, jet fuel remains roughly 75% above year-ago levels, according to IATA’s Fuel Price Monitor.
A fresh batch of quarterly results offer valuable insight into how the fuel shock actually landed, and how airlines managed the spike.