LAST UPDATE | 19 Apr

AER LINGUS HAS said the “vast majority” of customers will be reaccommodated on same day services if their flights are cancelled this summer.

The airline is among those worldwide facing intense pressures wrought by the US war on Iran and the restrictions imposed on the Strait of Hormuz.

It follows reporting in the Sunday Independent that Aer Lingus is cutting more than 500 flights from its schedule, affecting both transatlantic flights and European destinations.

The airline has explained this as being due to “mandatory maintenance” on aircraft but the move will heighten fears for people jetting off this summer.

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson for Aer Lingus said that move has come amid the start of operating its planned summer schedule.

Although the spokesperson did not specify how many flights would be cut, they said that schedule changes “apply to approximately 2%” of Aer Lingus’ overall schedule.

“A number of recent cancellations have been required due to mandatory maintenance on aircraft, along with a limited number of schedule adjustments,” the spokesperson said.

“Where schedule adjustments are being made, the vast majority of customers are being reaccommodated on same day services.”

The summer schedule cuts have come against the backdrop of severe warnings that Europe has just six weeks’ supply of jet fuel remaining because of the Middle East conflict.

The world’s energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency (IEA), said there could be flight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies remain restricted by the Iran war.

Other airlines have told The Journal of the pressures facing them due to the war.

International airline Air France-KLM, which provides many long haul flights from Ireland, told The Journal earlier this month that the “current geopolitical context in the Middle East has led to a sharp and sudden increase in fuel prices” for the company.

As a consequence, KLM said it has made “price adjustments”, including adding €50 on to return trips for long-haul flights.

“Tickets to and from North America had already increased by €30, and as of March 11, a further €20 has been added,” a spokesperson for the airline had said.

“For short and medium-haul flights, the price of a return ticket in economy class has increased by €10 as of March 16, 2026.”