Ascend Airways has cancelled all its flights effective immediately, blaming the ongoing Middle East war and increase in jet fuel prices for the situation. The airline has filed for administration and surrendered its UK air operator's certificate.
"The American people are paying for Donald Trump's illegal war in Iran every time they pull up to the gas pump and every time they try to heat their homes. Because of Trump's reckless war, home heating oil prices have surged 30% in a single week."
Since Iran virtually shut down the vital Strait of Hormuz this week - through which tanker ships carry 20% of the world's supply - crude oil prices have skyrocketed, and jet fuel prices in some markets have reportedly doubled. U.S. jet fuel prices jumped by 58% during the first week of the war, and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the impact on airfares will "probably start quick."
The unanimous decision by the members of the IEA, which represents some of the world's biggest oil-consuming nations, is meant to address the acute disruption in oil trade caused by the war. It's the largest release of crude oil the IEA has ever coordinated, and only the sixth time the group has released oil to balance crude markets.