Airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally in May as jet fuel prices soar due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Airlines have removed nearly two million seats from flights over May, new data shows. The cuts come ahead of the UK half-term holidays at the end of the month.

Istanbul and Munich have seen the largest reduction in flights, according to figures from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Airlines are usually reluctant to cancel flights as it can cost them valuable take-off and landing slots in airports, but under new contingency plans in the UK they would be shielded from this.

Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the beginning of the war — one tonne was trading at $831 in late February, and by early April, it hit a high of $1,838.