The ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran has triggered a sharp rise in global jet fuel prices, with airlines across the globe feeling the economic strain, though Spirit Airlines, a major U.S. low-cost carrier, became the first airline casualty, ceasing operations after failed talks for a $500 million government bailout. The airline blamed the crisis on soaring fuel costs, which have nearly doubled since the war began, according to IDNFinancials.

Airlines Cut Services, Passengers Bear the Cost

To cope with rising expenses. U.S. airline Delta Air Lines announced that it will eliminate food and beverage services on short-haul flights under 350 miles starting May 19. The move, which affects all passengers except those in Delta First, comes as airlines face additional pressure to cut costs without raising ticket prices significantly, according to NPR.

Jet fuel is typically the second-largest expense for airlines after labor, and with fuel prices soaring, companies are facing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs. Delta did not explicitly label the change as a cost-cutting measure, but it coincides with the broader industry struggle to maintain profitability, NPR reported.

Iran’s Military Capabilities Prove a Challenge

Meanwhile, the war has escalated in the skies. For the first time since the conflict began, the U.S. reported the downing of a U.S. F-15E jet over Iranian territory. The incident occurred as U.S. military forces attempted a search-and-rescue mission for the crew, with one member still missing. According to tagesschau.de, the pilot managed to escape to Kuwait, but the fate of the other remains unclear.

Iran also reportedly struck an A-10 combat jet and two Black Hawk helicopters near the Strait of Hormuz. While the U.S. military has not officially confirmed the strikes, multiple U.S. media outlets and intelligence sources have reported the incidents. The downing of the F-15E and the damage to other aircraft have raised questions about U.S. claims of having achieved air superiority over Iran, dw.com reported.

Airlines in Africa and Europe Struggle Too

In Nigeria, airlines have avoided a full-scale shutdown by securing debt relief from the government, but the situation remains precarious. Jet fuel prices have soared to over $126 per barrel due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, according to Digital Journal. Despite the high prices, Nigerian carriers such as Air Peace and Max Air continued operations Thursday, though the Airline Operators of Nigeria had previously warned of a possible shutdown over fuel costs.

Europe has also seen airlines reduce flights in response to rising costs and supply concerns. The global aviation industry is now bracing for further economic strain, with airlines across the world adjusting their operations to stay afloat, according to Digital Journal.