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The Air Current • Elan Head

United to Trim Up to 5% Capacity in Q2–Q3 as Jet Fuel Surges After Iran War

United will trim up to 5% of capacity in Q2–Q3 (extending into the fall) and cut unprofitable routes as jet fuel spikes following the Iran war. CEO Scott Kirby told employees the temporary reductions protect margins while the carrier pursues its longer-term growth plan.

2026-03-20T16:47:20.096833-07:00

Skift

Iran war narrows SAF premium as oil shock lifts jet‑fuel costs

2026-03-20T10:21:26.503249-07:00

Reuters

European carriers ask EU to delay or overhaul 2030 eSAF mandates, citing supply gaps and opaque rules

2026-03-19T02:20:25.627341-07:00

Reuters

European airlines demand urgent EU policy reset over rising costs, SAF supply and competitiveness

2026-03-18T18:15:12.650505-07:00

News Timeline

The Air Current

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United to Trim Up to 5% Capacity in Q2–Q3 as Jet Fuel Surges After Iran War United will trim up to 5% of capacity in Q2–Q3 (extending into the fall) and cut unprofitable routes as jet fuel spikes following the Iran war. CEO Scott Kirby told employees the temporary reductions protect margins while the carrier pursues its longer-term growth plan.

2026-03-20T16:47:20.096833-07:00

United to Trim Up to 5% Capacity in Q2–Q3 as Jet Fuel Surges After Iran War

Skift

Iran war narrows SAF premium as oil shock lifts jet‑fuel costs The price gap between sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and conventional jet fuel is narrowing as oil‑market shocks from the Iran war push jet‑fuel prices higher. SAF prices are also rising amid Middle East supply disruptions, shrinking the economic incentive for carriers and increasing short‑term fuel cost exposure.

2026-03-20T10:21:26.503249-07:00

Iran war narrows SAF premium as oil shock lifts jet‑fuel costs

AeroTime

Australians Back Domestic SAF Industry, Sydney Airport Study Finds A Sydney Airport study finds Australians broadly support development of a domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, pointing to job creation, emissions reductions and greater fuel security. The survey frames public opinion as supportive of local SAF production, infrastructure and industry growth.

2026-03-19T04:05:21.585583-07:00

Australians Back Domestic SAF Industry, Sydney Airport Study Finds

Reuters

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European carriers ask EU to delay or overhaul 2030 eSAF mandates, citing supply gaps and opaque rules European airline CEOs and trade group A4E urged the EU to delay or overhaul ReFuelEU rules requiring synthetic eSAF from 2030, arguing mandates lack transparency, consistent criteria and realistic supply. Carriers warned shortfalls could trigger penalties and higher fares unless the bloc adds flexibility or postpones timelines.

2026-03-19T02:20:25.627341-07:00

European carriers ask EU to delay or overhaul 2030 eSAF mandates, citing supply gaps and opaque rules

Reuters

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European airlines demand urgent EU policy reset over rising costs, SAF supply and competitiveness Major European carriers have issued a Brussels declaration urging an urgent reset of EU aviation policy, warning that rising costs, SAF supply constraints and Middle East-driven fuel pressures are eroding competitiveness and will push fares higher. The European Commission swiftly rejected calls to delay climate measures.

2026-03-18T18:15:12.650505-07:00

European airlines demand urgent EU policy reset over rising costs, SAF supply and competitiveness

Breitflyte

BOC Aviation buys first Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates from Singapore Airlines Group BOC Aviation announced it has purchased its first Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates (SAFc) from Singapore Airlines Group. The deal represents the lessor’s initial procurement of SAFc and links BOC with SIA Group in a direct SAF-certificate transaction supporting industry decarbonization.

2026-03-18T08:00:11.938228-07:00

BOC Aviation buys first Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates from Singapore Airlines Group

IATA

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IATA LTDP: Global Air Travel Demand to More Than Double by 2050 — 20.8 trillion RPKs (mid‑range) IATA's Long-Term Demand Projections (LTDP) forecast global air passenger demand will more than double by 2050. In the mid‑range scenario, traffic reaches 20.8 trillion revenue passenger‑kilometres (RPKs), establishing a long‑term baseline that will shape fleet, airport and policy planning through mid‑century.

2026-03-17T03:20:01.885649-07:00

IATA LTDP: Global Air Travel Demand to More Than Double by 2050 — 20.8 trillion RPKs (mid‑range)

Reuters

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European carriers push to delay or repeal EU eSAF 2030 mandate over cost and supply concerns European carriers are preparing to challenge the EU requirement to include synthetic sustainable aviation fuel from 2030, urging regulators to delay or repeal the eSAF blending mandate because of high costs and scarce supply. The move comes as the Iran war has pushed conventional jet fuel prices higher, complicating compliance.

2026-03-16T23:24:52.720108-07:00

European carriers push to delay or repeal EU eSAF 2030 mandate over cost and supply concerns

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SAF News

United to Trim Up to 5% Capacity in Q2–Q3 as Jet Fuel Surges After Iran War

Iran war narrows SAF premium as oil shock lifts jet‑fuel costs

European carriers ask EU to delay or overhaul 2030 eSAF mandates, citing supply gaps and opaque rules

European airlines demand urgent EU policy reset over rising costs, SAF supply and competitiveness

News Timeline