The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has urged UK holidaymakers not to cancel their Spring Bank Holiday plans, despite growing concerns over jet fuel shortages and potential flight disruptions. Travel experts confirm that flights are operating as scheduled, even as European airlines implement contingency measures in response to soaring fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
Fuel Shortage Concerns and Airline Contingencies
Reports have emerged that some airlines are preparing for possible refuelling stops on long-haul routes if shortages worsen. German carrier Lufthansa has already begun contingency planning after one of its flights was forced to divert for fuel during a recent journey to South Africa. The airline has also cut thousands of flights from its summer schedule as fuel costs continue to rise. Despite these developments, industry figures insist that UK travellers should not panic.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, stated: “We really don’t want people worrying about their holidays; planes are taking off daily and people are continuing to get away on their holidays. The Government and airlines are clear that there isn’t a problem with fuel supply. If you have a holiday booked in for the coming months – including the May half term – we expect it to go ahead as planned.” He added that global cancellations amount to less than one per cent of overall flights.
Flight Cancellation Data
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, around 13,000 flights worldwide were cancelled in May, with Munich and Istanbul among the worst-affected destinations. From UK airports, 120 of the 22,613 scheduled departures in May have been cancelled, equivalent to 0.53%. For June, outbound flights are 36 fewer than a week ago, representing a 0.2% reduction and a loss of 7,972 seats. The final week of May is a peak period for holidays due to school half-term breaks.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, noted that airlines are “assessing poor performance flights and consolidating or cancelling as required.” She confirmed that UK departures to popular summer hotspots remain unaffected, and customers can continue to book with confidence. Paul Charles, founder of The PC Agency, commented: “Airlines are now being forced to cut flights and make difficult decisions ahead of the peak season. It is better for them to cancel flights well in advance so that passengers are less inconvenienced than a last-minute change of plan. As the Iran conflict continues, there will need to be many more cancellations as the jet fuel supply is squeezed.”
Government and Industry Response
The Department for Transport (DfT) has stated there is currently “no need” for travellers to alter their plans, noting that UK airlines purchase fuel in advance and airports maintain reserves to prevent disruption. Passengers are advised to check flight updates with airlines before travelling and ensure they have suitable travel insurance. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that summer holiday plans will not face major disruption, as additional fuel has been imported from America and refineries have increased production. The Government has also introduced a temporary rule change allowing airlines to group passengers from different flights onto fewer planes to conserve fuel.
Lufthansa’s airline group announced in April it would cancel 20,000 flights over the following six months to save fuel. The ongoing conflict in Iran continues to affect tanker passages through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to oil price surges and jet fuel shortage concerns.
