Airlines will be permitted to cancel flights weeks in advance if they encounter fuel shortages this summer, under new contingency plans designed to mitigate the impact of the war on Iran. The temporary rule change allows carriers to consolidate passengers from multiple flights onto fewer aircraft, aiming to conserve jet fuel.
How the Plan Works
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that airlines can merge flights on routes with multiple daily services to the same destination. This means passengers may be moved from their originally booked flight to a similar one, reducing wasted fuel from partially empty planes that might otherwise be cancelled.
Political and Consumer Backlash
Conservatives have criticised the plan, warning that passengers could be 'herded onto a different plane at a time of the airline's choosing'. Consumer group Which? argued that rules should not be 'bent in favour of airlines'. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, stated: 'Existing rules already allow airlines to move customers to new flights with more than 14 days' notice, offering a choice between a new flight or a refund. It's only for cancellations within 14 days that compensation is payable. It's not fair for the rules to now be bent in favour of airlines and potentially leave passengers holding the bill.'
Government Justification
The DfT insists the measure is designed to give passengers 'greater confidence' by helping airlines lock in schedules earlier. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'There are no immediate supply issues, but we're preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer. This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses.' She expressed confidence that most travellers this summer will have a similar experience to last year.
Fuel Supply Concerns
The move comes amid warnings of a jet fuel shortage ahead of the peak summer holiday season if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Supplies from the Middle East have been disrupted since the US and Israel's war with Iran, due to Iran's effective closure of this critical shipping route. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said: 'Families who have booked their summer holiday could find their flight cancelled and themselves herded onto a different plane, at a time of the airline's choosing. The honest message is that Britain is exposed to fuel supply risks that a properly energy-secure country would not face.'
Air India Cuts Flights
Separately, Air India announced it will cut 100 flights due to soaring jet fuel costs. CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline had already reduced overseas operations for May, as increasing fuel costs and airspace restrictions in India's neighbourhood made overseas routes too expensive. With the situation unlikely to improve, especially with the Strait of Hormuz still closed, additional cuts are being made for June and July.
