The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Air Transat is cutting its capacity by 6 per cent between May and October amid high jet-fuel costs caused by the war in the Mideast. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that the Montreal-based airline, operated by Transat AT, joins WestJet and Air Canada by changing its schedule to eliminate or consolidate flights made less profitable by the fuel crisis that has gripped the industry since the conflict started on Feb. 28. Air Transat said it will reduce flight frequency on some European and Caribbean routes while extending the suspension of Cuban flights until October, blaming "the unprecedented aviation-fuel crisis and exceptional volatility in energy markets." The airline did not provide details. Additional measures might be implemented, she said. Air Transat previously said less than half its fuel consumption for the summer was hedged at lower prices, signalling that its protection from the recent spike is limited. Transat and other carriers have raised airfares and fees in response to higher fuel costs. Although Canadian jet-fuel refiners supply about 80 per cent of domestic needs, airlines pay global prices for fuel and could face shortages overseas.