The airline has responded to passengers who have shared their concerns online
EasyJet has addressed passenger concerns online about upcoming holidays amid the possibility of a jet fuel shortage. It comes as the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, warned last week that Europe has approximately six weeks of jet fuel remaining due to restrictions imposed by the Middle East conflict.
The crisis, driven by Iranian disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, could lead to flight cancellations and represents what Birol described as “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced”. If the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, flights in Europe may be affected, as he said: “Some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of a lack of jet fuel.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis, tabled a question to the Secretary of State for Transport about the risk of jet fuel shortages. She asked: “What recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of jet fuel availability and pricing; what discussions she has had with airlines and industry stakeholders on fuel costs; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those factors on passenger airfares?”
In a fresh response, Secretary for Transport Keir Mather replied: “The Government is monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel supplies, including jet fuel. In coordination with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero we have worked with fuel suppliers, airlines and airports to understand levels of jet fuel and pricing.
“There is no immediate cause for concern relating to fuel stocks, and speculation will not help airlines or passengers. Many airlines lock in fuel prices in advance, to help protect tickets from spikes in price. We encourage all airlines to do what they can to ensure tickets remain fairly and appropriately priced for passengers.”
People have been reaching out to EasyJet on social media with concerns about their upcoming holidays. On X, one customer under the username @EmMaria87 asked: “@EasyJetholidays we are due to go on holiday to Tunisia with you 16-30 May. Is there a risk we could be stranded out there if there is a shortage of jet fuel?”
An EasyJet customer service representative responded back to say: “Hello Emily, thanks for reaching out to us. We appreciate the concern, our holidays are going ahead as planned, if for whatever reason there are any changes that may affect your holiday then our dedicated team will reach out prior to departure. – Dan.”
Another EasyJet customer, with the username @Croucher_steven, said: “I’m meant to be off to Berlin with my two young kids for a city break in May, but concerned about the situation with you and that you may cancel flights. Its not fair that i end up having to let my kids down at the last moment so are you likely to start cancelling soon?”
The airline replied: “Hi Steve, thanks for reaching out. We appreciate your concerns, however please be assured that we will be in touch if there are any changes to your booking. – Ria.”
Kenton Jarvis, EasyJet’s chief executive, recently assured that all the airports it serves are “operating as normal”. He explained: “We only ever in this industry have three to four weeks visibility (of jet fuel supplies), and that is the same as it was pre-crisis. We have visibility to the middle of May, and we have no concerns. What we’re seeing is airports and fuel suppliers working well to bring jet fuel to the airports.”
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has also previously said disruption could begin in May. He told Sky News: “Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market. We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated.”
