Experts have warned that the UK and Europe could face a 'significant' decline in jet fuel supplies later this year due to the Iran war, potentially leading to flight cancellations and splitting families who have booked holidays to Spain and Greece.
Airlines have maintained a bullish stance on summer travel, with easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis insisting there were 'no issues' with fuel supply and Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary saying suppliers expect no disruption until mid-July. The trade body Airlines UK said carriers are operating normally and passengers should be 'reassured' that flights will be protected over the summer.
However, warnings persist about problems later in the year if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. The strait is a key route for Europe's jet fuel supply, and its closure could cause shortages that force airlines to cancel flights to popular European destinations.
The UK economy has already shown signs of strain, with GDP down 0.1% in April, partly due to higher fuel costs hitting retail figures. The sports industry also saw cancellations of fixtures in the Middle East.
