Scandinavian airline SAS has announced plans to cancel at least 1,000 flights in April as soaring fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict continue to strain the aviation sector. The carrier said further cancellations are likely after the Easter period, when travel demand typically declines.

Chief executive Anko van der Werff said the rapid rise in jet fuel costs has created significant pressure on operations. Speaking to Swedish business daily Dagens Industri, he noted that fuel prices had doubled within ten days, describing the increase as a major shock for airlines already managing tight margins.

The airline said it had already begun scaling back services in March, with several hundred flights cancelled while attempting to minimise disruption to passengers. Most of these cancellations affected domestic routes in Norway, with only limited impact on services in Sweden and Denmark.

SAS operates roughly 800 flights per day, and the company stressed that the planned reductions represent a relatively small share of its total operations. Even so, executives said the measures are necessary to manage rising costs and maintain financial stability in an increasingly uncertain environment.

The surge in fuel prices follows a sharp increase in global oil markets. Brent crude oil has climbed to around $100 per barrel after tensions escalated following military action involving Iran. The situation has disrupted key supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil supplies normally passes.

SAS said it had already introduced fare increases to offset the rising cost of jet fuel, joining other international carriers taking similar steps. Airlines including Air France-KLM, Cathay Pacific, Air India and Qantas have also raised ticket prices in response to higher operating costs.

In addition to pricing adjustments, many airlines have reduced or suspended services to parts of the Middle East due to security concerns, while rerouting flights to avoid affected airspace. These changes have increased travel times and operational expenses, adding further pressure on ticket prices.

Industry analysts say passengers may continue to face higher fares in the coming months, even if tensions ease. Increased demand for alternative routes that bypass the Middle East is also contributing to rising costs.

SAS said it is taking steps to strengthen its resilience, including short-term schedule adjustments, as it navigates the ongoing volatility in global energy markets and the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on the aviation industry.

Many of the world’s most famous cities grew gradually over centuries, with layers of history shaping their streets and architecture. Ancient structures often stand alongside modern skyscrapers, creating striking contrasts. Yet these historic layouts can sometimes struggle to meet the needs of modern urban life.

For that reason, several countries have chosen to build cities from scratch, carefully designing them to serve as political and administrative centres. These purpose-built capitals allow planners to create organized layouts with space for housing, transport, public services and government institutions.

One of the most famous examples is Brasília. The city officially became the capital of Brazil in 1960 after the government decided to move the seat of power away from coastal Rio de Janeiro. Built in the country’s interior, Brasília was designed with a distinctive modernist layout and has become an architectural landmark. Notable sites include the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Congress complex. In 1987 the city received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in modern urban planning.

Another planned capital is Canberra. Located between the rival cities of Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra was chosen in the early 20th century as a compromise between the two. Construction began in 1912 following a design competition. Today the city has a population of about half a million and is known for its national museums, art galleries and cultural institutions.

In the Pacific, Wellington developed as the political centre of New Zealand after the capital moved from Auckland in the 19th century. While the city was not built entirely from scratch, its modern layout was planned using grid patterns designed in 1840 by surveyor William Mein Smith. Wellington is widely regarded as the country’s cultural hub and hosts major institutions such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

South Asia also features a purpose-built capital in Islamabad. The city was constructed during the 1960s and officially became the capital of Pakistan in 1967, replacing Karachi. Its location near Rawalpindi was chosen partly because of its proximity to military headquarters. Islamabad today has more than one million residents and includes landmarks such as Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument.

Another modern capital is Naypyidaw, where construction began in 2002 before it replaced Yangon as the administrative centre in 2005. Despite its vast roads and large government complexes, the city has a relatively small population, giving it a reputation for unusually quiet streets.

In Central America, Belmopan became the capital after a hurricane devastated Belize City in 1961. The new inland capital was officially established in 1970 and now serves as the country’s administrative centre.

The newest planned capital is Ciudad de la Paz. Located in mainland Equatorial Guinea, the city was declared the country’s capital in January this year. Designed to house about 200,000 residents, it remains sparsely populated and is often described as unusually quiet compared with older capital cities.

Together, these cities illustrate how governments have attempted to reshape urban development by creating capitals designed specifically for modern governance and future growth.