U.S. scheduled service airlines experienced a decline in total aviation fuel expenditures during September 2026, with costs falling to $5.90 billion. According to data released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), this figure represents a 4.3% decrease from the $6.17 billion recorded in August 2026. The report indicates that while total spending dropped on a monthly basis, the expenditure remains 69.2% higher than the $3.49 billion spent in September 2025.
Airlines Consume Less Fuel as Prices Rise
The reduction in total fuel costs coincided with a decrease in the volume of fuel used by carriers. Airlines consumed 1.527 billion gallons of fuel in September 2026, a 7.8% drop compared to the 1.656 billion gallons used in August 2026. Despite this lower volume, the cost per gallon rose to $3.86, marking a 3.7% increase, or 14 cents, over the August price of $3.72 per gallon.
When compared to the previous year, the industry consumed 0.9% more fuel than the 1.514 billion gallons used in September 2025. The price per gallon in September 2026 was significantly higher than the $2.30 recorded in September 2025, representing a 67.7% increase year-over-year.
Data Reporting and Methodology
The figures provided by the BTS are compiled from monthly reports filed by commercial air carriers. The bureau noted that these statistics are not seasonally adjusted, and the cost figures are presented in current dollars without adjustments for inflation.
- Total fuel expenditure for September 2026 reached $5.90 billion.
- Fuel consumption fell to 1.527 billion gallons.
- The cost per gallon reached $3.86.
The BTS noted that Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have merged and are now reporting combined fuel data under the Alaska Airlines identifier. The agency further stated that statistics in the release may be subject to revision as additional inputs are corrected or updated.
