TV holiday expert Simon Calder has urged holidaymakers not to cancel their 2026 trips, describing current flight deals as "crazy" amid concerns over the Iran conflict and rising fuel prices.
Booking Advice and Fuel Surcharges
Calder, a regular contributor to ITV and BBC, told GB News that passengers with Jet2, easyJet, and TUI will not face supplementary fuel fees, even though the Iran conflict has driven up jet fuel costs. He said people have been asking him whether they should cancel their holidays, but he insists now is a fantastic time to book.
"Do not cancel your holiday," Calder said. "And if you haven't booked any and you're feeling nervous, please don't. Now is a fantastic time to book holidays." He pointed to examples such as Luton to Mykonos in July and August for just £55 one way, calling it "crazy" and noting that it should be three times that price.
Passenger Rights and Flight Cancellations
Calder reassured travellers that strong air passenger rights protect them if flights are cancelled. "If your flight is cancelled, then it's not your problem. It's the airline's problem. They have to find you an alternative on the same day if at all possible," he said. He added that he has been booking holidays "like there's no tomorrow" because of the great deals available.
While some big airlines like Lufthansa have cancelled 20,000 flights due to fuel costs, Calder said these cancellations are not affecting holiday flights. He also dismissed warnings from European energy chiefs and the UK Prime Minister, advising people to plan their holidays as normal. He noted that even if flights are merged, it would only cause minor inconvenience, such as a different departure time.
Jet2's Update and Industry Impact
Jet2 has reported that holidaymakers are increasingly booking last minute due to anxiety over the Iran war and jet fuel supply. The company said summer passenger numbers are up 6.2%, but the booking profile has become closer to departure. Jet2 is well protected from fuel cost spikes for the summer season and maintains frequent dialogue with fuel suppliers and airport partners.
Heathrow airport has warned that passenger numbers for the rest of the year may be affected by the Middle East situation. Airspace closures following the outbreak of war on February 28 have impacted air travel, though much of the region's airspace has since reopened. A raft of European airlines have alerted to impending jet fuel shortages due to disruption to supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz, which provides around three-quarters of Europe's jet fuel.
Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy said: "Clearly, we continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East but remain focused on our medium-term goals." The group expects operating profits of £435-440 million for the year to March 31, down from £446.5 million, in line with market forecasts. It has increased its summer programme for 2026 by 7.7% to 19.9 million passenger seats.
