Cathay Pacific will cut about 2% of its total flight frequencies between mid-May and the end of June 2026, with the reductions hitting regional routes most heavily. A small number of flights to Australia, South Asia and South Africa will also be affected, and passengers whose trips are canceled will be rebooked onto alternative flights within 24 hours of their original schedules.
The airline said notifications to affected passengers will be sent by 13 April 2026, giving travelers a clearer picture of the changes before the cuts begin. Its low-cost arm, HK Express, will also reduce frequencies by about 6% from 11 May to 30 June 2026.
The move comes as jet fuel prices have jumped sharply, rising to $267 per barrel in April from $126.84 in February, according to the International Air Transport Association, an increase of more than 100%. Cathay Pacific has already tried to offset the pressure through changes to fuel surcharges, while also extending its suspension of flights to Dubai and Riyadh until 30 June 2026 because of ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
The cuts place Cathay Pacific among a growing number of airlines adjusting schedules to protect margins as fuel costs climb. Delta Air Lines has said it will reduce flight capacity by about 5% during the summer of 2026, mainly on domestic routes, underscoring how quickly higher fuel prices are forcing carriers to trim their networks rather than wait for costs to ease.
