U.S. Airlines Spent Over $6.6 Billion on Jet Fuel in May Amid Higher Energy Prices

U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May, marking the second consecutive month that fuel costs exceeded $6 billion, according to government data released recently. Rio Yamat reported for The Associated Press (AP).

Commercial aircraft prepare for departure as airlines contend with rising jet fuel costs driven by higher global energy prices.

The May total was 84 percent higher than a year earlier. Airlines spent $6.47 billion on fuel in April, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

The sharp increase in spending was driven primarily by higher fuel prices rather than increased consumption. U.S. airlines used 1.627 billion gallons of jet fuel in May, down 0.6 percent from the same month in 2025. Fuel consumption in April was also slightly lower than the previous year's level.

The average price paid for jet fuel was $4.09 per gallon in May, slightly below April's $4.11 per gallon, but 85 percent higher than the $2.21 per gallon recorded in May 2025.

Airlines worldwide have responded to higher fuel costs by increasing airfares and ancillary fees while trimming flight schedules. Fuel remains one of the industry's largest operating expenses, making carriers especially vulnerable to fluctuations in energy prices.

The latest figures underscore the continued impact of rising energy costs following the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global crude oil and refined fuel supplies.