UK airlines will be permitted to cancel or consolidate flights this summer in a bid to conserve jet fuel, as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt supplies.
The government announced new legislation on Sunday that will allow carriers to adjust schedules, including merging multiple daily services on the same route, to avoid last-minute cancellations. Airlines may return a limited proportion of takeoff and landing slots without forfeiting their rights for the following season.
Under the plans, cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Flights that have not sold a significant number of tickets may be axed to prevent near-empty planes burning fuel, with passengers moved on to alternative services.
Rob Bishton, chief executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said relaxing slot rules would give airlines greater flexibility, and urged them to give passengers as much notice as possible. The plans emerged from a meeting between Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and representatives of Heathrow, Gatwick, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet.
The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas artery, has been effectively closed since early March, raising fears of jet fuel shortages in Europe. The UK imports around 65% of its jet fuel, much of it from the Middle East.
Ms Alexander said there were no immediate supply issues, but the legislation would give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if needed. "We will do everything we can to insulate our country from the impact of the situation in the Middle East," she added.
