Airlines may cut flight schedules as Iran tensions drive up fuel costs, experts warn

As the Iran conflict disrupts energy markets and squeezes jet-fuel supplies, there is a concern that airfares could rise in the weeks ahead.

"If fuel prices stay elevated into the summer, travelers could start to see fewer cheap fares and slightly higher average ticket prices, especially on long-haul international routes," said Neugarten. 

Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital that higher fuel prices will raise airfare costs - making marginal flights no longer profitable to operate.

Leff said the issue will be that if fuel prices "force airlines to cut back on their schedules, passenger demand will chase fewer airline seats."

"If demand drops even more than seat supply, we could see lower fares despite higher oil prices."

He wouldn't expect to see airlines trimming schedules significantly for travel, he said, in the next 90 days.

"Schedule changes happen further out most of the time, at least for larger airlines," said Leff. Still, he warned the biggest impact on prices will come in subsequent months, depending on how the war plays out.

"If you see a good fare for a trip you know you want to take, it usually makes sense to lock it in," said Neugarten. "Most major airlines now allow free changes on many tickets, so if the price drops later, you can typically reprice and take the credit."

Brito said some airports have proportionately higher jet fuel consumption, pointing to Singapore and Frankfurt, so concentration and distance from suppliers create an additional layer of market jitters that is reflected in current prices.

Even if tensions calm down and shipping lanes stay open, fuel contracts, shipping schedules and limited inventory can keep the disruption - and higher prices - in the supply chain.

Fox News Digital's Amanda Macias contributed reporting.