Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet among other airlines issued the warning as jet fuel costs have soared due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruption, a major shipping route for oil and gas
Airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair, have warned Brits will face summer travel chaos — unless the government does more to help with the fuel crisis.
Airlines UK, which represents the likes of Jet2, Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet, has urged for an emergency jet fuel plan to be drafted amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Carriers based in other nations, such as Lufthansa in Germany, have already scrapped flights amid the concerns.
More flights will be cancelled and prices will go up unless the government helps our carriers, Airlines UK, which also represents Virgin Atlantic, has stressed. It warned that “the doubling of jet fuel costs (with fuel accounting for around one-third of airline costs) represents a major additional price shock”.
The document, seen by ITV News, was submitted to ministers and the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), cautioning that should the disruption “continues or worsens”, it will compel airlines to reduce flights and drive up fares. Airlines are calling on the government to introduce a number of measures, such as securing fuel supplies and greater flexibility to manage spiralling costs and potential compensation claims, the document indicates.
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According to the document, airlines are additionally requesting the temporary import and use of Jet A — a grade of jet fuel produced in the US, the use of which is not currently permitted in the UK or Europe. They are also urging the government to “update and publish the National Emergency Plan for Fuel,” as the current plan outlines who receives petrol and diesel first during shortages, but excludes jet fuel, and are additionally demanding the “temporary alleviation of slot usage requirements” — an easing of the regulations that require airlines to utilise their take-off and landing slots at major UK airports, the document indicates.
Airlines UK informed ITV News that “airlines continue to operate normally and are not experiencing issues with jet fuel supply”. Jet fuel and other oil supplies have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict in Iran. Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, described the ongoing closure as potentially “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced”, reports the Express.
He cautioned that flights could face cancellation in future owing to jet fuel shortages, but meanwhile the price of jet fuel is also climbing due to the constrained supply.
The average fuel cost per passenger has already increased by roughly €29 (£25) per passenger for flights within the EU, according to the analysis. Jet fuel for a flight from Barcelona to Berlin would cost €26 (£22) more per passenger.
