British travellers have been reassured by easyJet and Jet2 that summer holidays will proceed as normal, despite fears over flight cancellations due to rising jet fuel costs triggered by the Iran war. EasyJet's chief executive Mr Kenton Jarvis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that passengers should not be concerned about their bookings, as the airline has experienced no problems with fuel availability. Jet2 also confirmed it has ample fuel and will not impose surcharges, having received positive updates from its fuel suppliers detailing increased production and additional imports from areas unaffected by the Middle East conflict.
This positive news comes despite the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warning travellers to brace for higher air fares as airlines can no longer absorb the escalating costs stemming from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Willie Walsh, IATA's director general, informed the BBC that while there is no immediate concern regarding potential jet fuel shortages, the inevitable consequence of rising fuel prices will be an increase in air ticket costs. He said: 'There may be some instances where airlines will discount to stimulate some traffic flow… but over time it’s inevitable that the high price of oil will be reflected in higher ticket prices.'
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that 296 departures from UK airports were cancelled in May, representing 0.75 per cent of total scheduled flights. However, the outlook for the peak summer travel period appears more stable, with week-on-week schedule reductions for June limited to 48 fewer outbound flights, following the cancellation of 0.2 per cent of services. July has seen a reduction of 31 flights week-on-week, while August shows a minimal decrease of just four flights. Heathrow Airport has recorded just over 100 cancellations, but these are extensions of previously planned operations to Gulf region airports, where resumption dates have been further delayed.
Airports are set to ease regulations, allowing airlines to cancel flights without forfeiting their allocated slots should fuel scarcity prevent them from operating. Several airlines have responded to the crisis: KLM cancelled more than 150 European flights and will not operate 80 return flights out of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport over the next month, citing rising kerosene costs. Air Canada plans to trim four of its 38 daily flights to New York from June to October. Chinese airlines will raise fuel surcharges for domestic flights from May 16, while India's carrier revised its fuel surcharge to a distance-based grid. Nigeria's government moved to cap jet fuel prices and allow airlines to purchase supplies on credit to avert widespread disruptions.
