US airline jet fuel spending jumps to $6.1 billion in August

US airlines spent $6.1 billion on jet fuel in August, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics figures. That is 4.8% more than in July and about 60% more than in August 2025.

The average price paid was $3.72 a gallon, up from $3.42 in July and $2.30 a year earlier.

Consumption moved the other way. Carriers burned 1.6 billion gallons during the month, down 4.4% from July. Fuel use had risen through early summer before starting to decline in July.

The bureau publishes fuel cost data on a fixed schedule, as required by the Office of Management and Budget, and does not give reasons for the changes.

The August increase came as global oil prices rose amid fighting in the Middle East that spread to the Arabian Peninsula. Militant groups aligned with Iran bombed oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which was shut down for a period. Prospects for an agreement between Washington and Tehran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for seaborne oil, liquefied natural gas and fertilizer, remain uncertain.

Several US airline chief executives said last month that capacity cuts could be necessary if fuel costs stay at these levels.