local
US airlines’ monthly fuel spending topped $6 billion again in May, up 84% from year ago
By Rio Yamat, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May, the second straight month that fuel costs topped $6 billion, according to government data released Tuesday.The May figure was 84% higher than a year earlier. Airlines spent $6.47 billion on fuel in April, the Bureau of Transportation Statistic...
Key takeaway 47 billion on fuel in April, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics said.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For Piney Point Village residents who frequently travel, the surge in US airlines' fuel spending could mean higher airfare costs. As airlines respond to increased fuel costs by raising fares and fees, locals may feel the pinch when booking flights out of Houston's airports. The average price of jet fuel in Houston was $2.90 per gallon on Monday, still higher than last year's prices. With Delta Air Lines set to report its second-quarter financial results, it will be worth watching how the airline's executives discuss the impact of fuel prices on their finances and what that might mean for future air travel costs. As a major hub for air travel, Houston's economy is closely tied to the airline industry, making the fluctuation in fuel prices a significant concern for local residents and businesses that rely on air travel.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Piney Point stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May, the second straight month that fuel costs topped $6 billion, according to government data released Tuesday.The May figure was 84% higher than a year earlier. Airlines spent $6.47 billion on fuel in April, the Bureau of Transportation Statistic...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rio Yamat, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter