Services operated by airlines including British Airways, American Airlines, Air Canada, easyJet and WestJet have been pulled from schedules, disrupting journeys to major destinations including New York, Toronto, Mumbai, Paris, Amsterdam and Dublin.
Flight-tracking data and passenger-rights monitoring services recorded a sharp rise in cancellations on May 14. This bout of cancellation follows repeated disruption incidents earlier this spring which saw travellers stranded and long-haul routes severely affected.
Passengers travelling to North America have been among the hardest hit. Flights between London and New York JFK operated by British Airways and American Airlines have faced cancellations and lengthy delays, while services to Toronto and Calgary involving Air Canada and WestJet have also been disrupted.
Travellers heading to India have also faced major issues, with several services linking the UK and Mumbai cancelled and timetable changes.
Aviation analysts have warned that cancellations can quickly spread across multiple routes when a single long-haul aircraft falls out of rotation.
Flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester to Paris, Amsterdam and Dublin have all seen cancellations, causing missed onward connections for passengers travelling internationally.
Disruptions are already sparking concern ahead of the peak summer holiday period, with experts warning airlines and airports may have little room for error as passenger numbers surge through June and July.
Another worry among the aviation industry is potential jet fuel shortages as the conflict in the Middle East remains tense. Data released just days earlier by Cirium found that airlines have dramatically ramped up flight cancellations for May as jet fuel costs soar and supply concerns mount.
The US and Iran have been in conflict since February 28 when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by closing the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of global oil traded passes, rocking global markets and causing jumps in fuel prices.
