EasyJet has responded to passenger concerns about a potential jet fuel shortage affecting May 2026 holidays, issuing a fresh update on social media. The airline addressed a customer's query on X, where user Tash asked about the likelihood of cancellation for a flight to Malta on May 12th due to fuel issues. EasyJet replied: 'Thank you for reaching out. I understand your concern however, we are currently not seeing disruption to jet fuel supply and engage with fuel suppliers and government to monitor the situation.'
The airline further stated: 'We have no plans to make changes to our flying programme.' Last week, an EasyJet spokesperson also confirmed: 'We are currently seeing no disruption to flights and don't plan to make any changes to our flying schedule.'
Government and Industry Response
The Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that many UK airlines and major airports are not currently facing jet fuel shortages, including EasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and WizzAir. The government said that aviation fuel is usually purchased in advance. A DfT spokesperson said: 'We are working hand-in-hand with the industry to monitor risks.'
Speculation about a possible jet fuel shortage has been spreading online, driven by the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel access and pricing. A minister has suggested that British consumers could face rising prices as a result of the war in Iran, potentially continuing for as long as eight months after hostilities cease.
Impact of Strait of Hormuz Closure
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane that previously carried one-fifth of the world's oil and gas, has triggered a sharp rise in oil prices since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began. Over the weekend, the Government encouraged motorists to continue filling up their vehicles as normal, despite rising petrol prices, and urged people not to alter their travel plans amid concerns over potential jet fuel shortages, reports the Express.
Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, warned that the ongoing conflict is likely to continue driving up the cost of energy, food, and flight tickets over the coming months. This is due to potential disruptions to energy supplies that could affect production, though he stressed this would not necessarily translate into empty supermarket shelves.
'You're going to see prices go up a bit as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East,' he told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. 'That's probably going to come online not just in the next few weeks, but the next few months. There's going to be a long tail from this.'
When pressed on how long the elevated prices might persist, he suggested it could last about eight months after the Strait of Hormuz reopens and the conflict settles down. 'I think our best guess is eight-plus months from the point of resolution that you'll see economic impacts coming through the system,' the minister said.
Airlines and Airport Measures
British airlines have confirmed they are not currently experiencing a shortage of jet fuel, as they purchase supplies in advance and airports hold adequate stocks. Nevertheless, the Government noted it is 'closely monitoring' fuel reserves. Airports will make it easier for airlines to cancel flights without fear of losing their designated 'slots' - the specific take-off or landing times that certain UK airports assign to airlines - should fuel shortages prevent them from operating.
The Government is also considering temporarily altering regulations requiring airlines to operate flights that aren't fully booked from UK airports, according to The Times. This modification would enable airlines to amend their flight schedules months in advance of potential fuel shortages. It also means there could be fewer flight options available, but it would help minimise disruption and last-minute cancellations.
Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the US ceasefire with Iran last week that paused most fighting, but further efforts towards ending the conflict have fallen flat after the US president told his envoys not to travel to Pakistan for talks this weekend.
