The Department for Transport has issued an update for anyone planning on travelling over the next few months
People who are preparing to fly have been issued an update by the government. The Department for Transport has responded to concerns of many people with flights booked ready for the summer holidays.
Many are concerned of potential cancellations as a result of fuel shortages caused by the conflict in the Middle East. However the government has stepped in to give an update on what action people need to take.
In an updated statement issued on Wednesday afternoon it insisted people shoud not currently look to make changes. It said: “UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving.
“There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.
“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”
It went on to answer some key question people have been asking. This is what it said:
Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?
“UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”
Do you need to change your travel plans?
“There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.
“We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.
“We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.”
Are airlines cancelling lots of flights?
“While there has been media reporting on flights cancelled internationally in May, data from Cirium shows 120 UK flights have been cancelled, which is only 0.53% of the planned flights for the month. The majority of these UK cancellations are to and from the Middle East due to the conflict.
“This is within the range of the number of cancellations we would expect in a normal year, and we continue to monitor the situation. In previous years, we typically saw around 1% of all flights arriving or departing from the UK cancelled, based on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) punctuality statistics. Data from Cirium shows that only up to 0.2% of flights have been cancelled from June to August.”
How is the government protecting passengers?
Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:
- depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
- arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
- arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline
For more information about your rights, you can:
What is government doing?
“Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported. We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.”
How are airlines being supported?
“At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land. Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.
“Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.
“The government is also seeking industry views on slot rules for the summer 2026 and winter 2026 seasons. The temporary measures would allow airlines to consolidate schedules on routes with multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.
“This means airlines can better plan ahead and focus on minimising disruption for passengers. It can also reduce fuel consumption by consolidating passengers onto fewer flights, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.”
