Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet, and Jet2 trade body issue cancellation warning
Several airlines are asking the government to step in.
Airlines are reportedly asking for the government's help to avoid making cuts to their flights and increasing their fares due to tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Airlines UK, which represents a number of carriers, including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Loganair, Ryanair, UPS and Virgin Atlantic, said "the doubling of jet fuel costs (with fuel accounting for around one-third of airline costs) represents a major additional price shock", it has been reported.
The document, seen by ITV News, was submitted to ministers and the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), warning that if the disruption "continues or worsens", it will force airlines to cut flights and push up fares. Airlines are asking the government to introduce several measures, such as securing fuel supplies and more flexibility to cope with soaring costs and potential compensation claims, the document suggests.
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According to the document, airlines are also asking for 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 asking the government to "update and publish the National Emergency Plan for Fuel," as the existing plan sets out who gets petrol and diesel first in the event of shortages, but does not include jet fuel, and are also calling for the "temporary alleviation of slot usage requirements" - a relaxation of the rules that compel airlines to use their take-off and landing slots at major UK airports, the document suggests.
Airlines UK told ITV News that "airlines continue to operate normally and are not experiencing issues with jet fuel supply".
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Jet fuel and other oil supplies have been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in Iran. Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said the ongoing closure could be "the largest energy crisis we have ever faced”.
He warned that flights could be cancelled in the future as a result of a lack of jet fuel, but in the meantime the cost of jet fuel is also increasing due to the restricted supply.
The average fuel cost per passenger has already risen 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 be €26 (£22) more per passenger.
A Government spokesperson said: “UK airlines are clear that they are currently not seeing a shortage of jet fuel.
“We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airlines and international counterparts on our contingency planning, to ensure people keep moving and businesses are supported while the conflict is ongoing.
“Our overriding priority is to de-escalate this conflict, open up the Strait and prevent disruption to passengers."
