US United airlines jet takes off at Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on June 2, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

United Airlines reported a dip in profits Wednesday, reflecting the hit from higher fuel prices due to the US-Iran war.

While the airline pointed to resilient travel demand, the growth in operating expenses outpaced the increase in revenues.

Profits in the second quarter were $805 million, down 17.3 percent. Revenues jumped 16 percent to $17.7 billion.

United has eliminated lower-profit flights in response to the surge in jet fuel costs. The carrier said in April it planned broad-based fare hikes of 15 to 20 percent.

"United is built to thrive in every environment, and when oil prices spiked in March, we quickly and decisively acted to adjust our schedules, while simultaneously doubling down on our customer investments," said CEO Scott Kirby.

Based on current oil prices, United expects nearly $6 billion in added fuel expenses in 2026 compared with its expectations at the start of the year.

In the second quarter, United recovered about 50 percent of jet fuel costs. It expects that share to rise to 80-90 percent in the third quarter and 100 percent in the fourth quarter.

Shares fell 1.8 percent in after-hours trading.