US airlines face fuel-driven financial shakeout - Reuters

US airlines are grappling with elevated fuel costs that are reshaping the industry's financial landscape. Jet fuel prices have remained volatile and persistently higher than historical averages, pressuring airline margins that are already thin in a competitive market. Carriers are responding by adjusting routes, raising fares, and scrutinizing capital spending to protect profitability. The financial stress is likely to accelerate consolidation or force weaker players to restructure operations. How airlines manage fuel hedging and operational efficiency over the coming quarters will determine which carriers emerge stronger from this shakeout.