Airlines across Europe could shut down over high fuel prices, warns Wizz Air CEO

Wizz Air CEO Jzsef Vradi said carriers already facing financial difficulties may be especially vulnerable, and suggested British Airways and Air France could also encounter challenges

Abigail Hunt Content Editor

11:00, 29 Apr 2026Updated 11:10, 29 Apr 2026

[Wizz Air CEO Jzsef Vradi has issued a stark warning to travellers]

Wizz Air CEO Jzsef Vradi has issued a stark warning to travellers

Airlines throughout Europe could face the threat of shutting down by September if jet fuel prices remain high, according to Wizz Air CEO Jzsef Vradi.

He cautioned that a slowdown in bookings later in the summer is already putting pressure on airlines, and the ongoing jet fuel crisis could significantly worsen the situation. He said: "At the moment, all airlines are selling against summer demand, which is the highest-priced capacity during the year.

"But you run out of steam by the end of June." In comments to The Telegraph, he added: "Airlines go bust two times a year, in September and February. Airlines with weak liquidity positions will come under immense pressure in September time.

[Wizz Air CEO Jzsef Vradi has issued a stark warning to travellers]

Some airlines have already responded to the crisis with operational changes(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"No one is really taking capacity out during the summer because you are still making money. Winter is totally different. My personal expectation is that you will see a flood of capacity removed from the market in September and October time."

Vradi said carriers already facing financial difficulties may be especially vulnerable, and suggested that major airlines such as British Airways and Air France could also encounter challenges.

Some airlines have already responded to the crisis with operational changes. German carrier Lufthansa has cut 20,000 summer flights across Europe, stating that higher fuel costs have rendered many routes "unprofitable".

The airline said these reductions would save 40,000 tons of jet fuel. The affected routes include hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome, and are intended to "reduce the number of unprofitable short-haul flights".

[British Airways and Air France could also encounter challenges]

British Airways and Air France could also encounter challenges(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lufthansa explained that jet fuel prices have "doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict". Industry group Airlines UK warned that ministers must act to prevent further disruption, highlighting the "immediate impact on the UK aviation sector and UK consumers in the event disruption to jet fuel supply continues or worsens".

The organisation called for increased fuel reserves by boosting kerosene production at oil refineries, as well as importing US-grade fuel that can be used by some aircraft. Additionally, Airlines UK urged the Government to lower taxes and temporarily ease certain environmental regulations.

Reports suggest British families could face a difficult summer of travel disruption, with rising oil prices pushing up fares and leading to cancellations.

Jet fuel supplies from the Middle East have been affected since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, largely due to Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Vradi said fuel prices could remain elevated for up to 18 months, regardless of whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens.

[British families could face a difficult summer of travel disruption]

British families could face a difficult summer of travel disruption(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

This follows comments from Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary, who claimed that both Wizz Air and airBaltic could deplete their cash reserves by the end of winter as a result of the fuel crisis, potentially leading to collapse.

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He said his airlines fuel costs rose by 50million this month and warned the broader industry could begin experiencing shortages as early as May.

OLeary argued that Wizz Air and airBaltic are particularly exposed because they have not secured lower fuel prices in advance. He warned that if oil prices remain high, both airlines could run out of cash by the end of the year, with a risk of collapse by October or November.

However, Vradi dismissed these claims, insisting that Wizz Air has no liquidity concerns and holds 2billion (1.7billion) in cash.

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