Airlines are pressing the UK government to ease environmental regulations, noise restrictions, and passenger compensation rights as they brace for potential jet fuel shortages and rising costs due to the Middle East conflict. The demands, outlined in a briefing document from trade body Airlines UK on behalf of carriers including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Virgin, TUI, and Jet2, call for suspending the emissions trading scheme, relaxing night flight limits, and reclassifying fuel-related disruption as extraordinary circumstances to limit passenger payouts.
The document warns that if disruptions to jet fuel supplies persist or worsen, airlines may be forced to cut flights and increase fares. It also repeats longstanding industry requests to scrap air passenger duty and ease slot rules, allowing airlines to cancel flights without losing future rights. While the UK government and aviation officials maintain there is no immediate shortage, some observers fear supplies cannot hold if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
Last week, the International Energy Agency's head cautioned that Europe has only six weeks of jet fuel reserves, and flight cancellations could follow if Middle East oil flows are not restored. The industry's requests include dropping European fuel standards to allow imports of Jet A from the US and requiring UK refineries to prioritise jet fuel production over petrol or diesel.
Airlines UK's spokesperson stated that while operations remain normal, the government must take action to ensure supply continuity and support the industry amid record high jet fuel prices. Lufthansa has already cancelled 20,000 flights between May and October to save fuel, citing doubled prices since the Iran conflict began. Willie Walsh of Iata urged authorities to have coordinated plans for potential rationing. A government spokesperson confirmed ongoing contingency planning but noted no current shortage.
