The Türkiye Guide

Turkish Airlines Cuts 520,000 May Seats Amid Fuel Crisis

· 2 min read Travel News
Aerial view of Istanbul with the Bosphorus strait and mosques

Contents

  1. Which routes are affected?
  2. What should affected travellers do?
  3. Background and outlook

A global jet fuel shortage triggered by the Strait of Hormuz blockade — which began 28 February 2026 — has forced Turkish Airlines to cut around 520,000 seats and more than 100 weekly departures from its May 2026 schedule. The airline has suspended 18 international destinations, with most suspensions running through at least 24 October 2026.

Which routes are affected?

The suspended destinations are concentrated in Africa, Central Asia, and the Caribbean. Affected routes include Monrovia, Bissau, Juba, Kinshasa, Luanda, Lusaka, Libreville, Pointe Noire, Freetown, and Havana — the latter had its planned June resumption cancelled entirely. Routes to Beirut, Damascus, and Amman, which had been suspended since late February, partially resumed on 1 May 2026.

Mainstream tourist routes to Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia are continuing to operate, though the airline has reduced overall capacity at Istanbul Atatürk and Istanbul Airport by approximately 15% through June 2026. Travellers on routes to these major tourist hubs should check their specific booking, as some frequencies have been cut even where the route itself has not been fully suspended.

What should affected travellers do?

If you have a booking with Turkish Airlines, check directly with the airline or your booking platform for any schedule changes. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers holding tickets for flights originating in an EU country — including connections routed via Istanbul — are entitled to compensation or rebooking if a flight is cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice. Our flight delay compensation guide explains the rules in full.

If your route is suspended, Turkish Airlines is offering rebooking onto alternative dates or a full refund. Some passengers have found it faster to contact the airline through its mobile app than by phone during this period of high call volumes.

Background and outlook

The fuel crisis has affected airlines globally, with more than 13,000 flights and two million seats cut from the May 2026 schedule across all carriers. Turkish Airlines has been among the hardest hit due to its hub’s geographic proximity to the affected supply region. The suspensions are currently projected to run until late October, though the airline has indicated it will restore routes faster if fuel costs stabilise.

For those looking at alternative ways to reach or travel around Türkiye, our flights to Türkiye guide covers competing carriers and alternative connection points, and our getting around Türkiye guide covers domestic bus and rail options once you are in the country.