ONE of the world’s biggest airlines has said they could soon increase the cost of flights due to ongoing conflict.
United Airlines has warned that fares could go up by as much as 20 per cent because of soaring jet fuel prices.
The airline flies mainly to America from a number of UK airports including Edinburgh, Manchester and London Heathrow.
According to Reuters, the airline’s CEO Scott Kirby said on Wednesday that the airline could increase flight prices by between 15 and 20 per cent to offset the surge in fuel costs.
For example, if a flight was £500 before, after the price rise it could be as much as £600.
The airline added that it has already begun raising some prices, as well as higher baggage fees – all to offset increased fuel costs.
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Kirby added that the airline has not yet seen a drop in demand, despite prices rising.
However, he also accepted that if the airline does introduce higher prices, it may test and put off travellers.
United Airlines has also already confirmed that five per cent of flights would be cancelled – or around 250 flights a month – because of rising fuel cost fears.
This news follows data released by The Transport & Environment (T&E) that disruption to jet fuel supplies has added as much as $100 (£77) per person to the price of long-haul flights from Europe.
As such, for a family of four heading on a long-haul holiday it would cost them an extra £308.
For short-haul flights within Europe, prices have increased by £25.26 per passenger – which would be more than £100 per family heading on holiday.
And a number of airlines have already raised their prices to offset the increasing cost of jet fuel.
For example, on Virgin Atlantic flights economy fares have been increased by £50.
Anyone flying in premium economy will pay an extra £180 and those in business class will pay an extra £360.
What does this mean for your upcoming holiday?
1. How will this affect my holiday?
Getaways should not be seriously impacted immediately as airlines bought fuel far in advance at a fixed rate.
But if the crisis continues into June, operators may start adding a surcharge to holiday prices.
A limited number of flights may be cancelled, but mostly on well-served routes with alternatives.
If supplies start to dry up, cancellations would increase.
2. Am I entitled to a refund?
IF some or all of your holiday is cancelled by the provider, your refund depends on whether you booked your trip as a package holiday, or individually.
Your money tends to be much better protected with a package deal.
3. Is now a bad time to book?
There are some great deals, but book with caution.
You must take out travel insurance as, if your flight is cancelled, you may have protection against the cost of other elements of your holiday, such as accommodation.
Air France and KLM, which are part of the same company, are also increasing round-trip fares by €100 (£87) on most of their long-haul flights.
Some airlines have cancelled flights as well.
For example, Lufthansa has cancelled 20,000 flights up to September, Air New Zealand and Scandinavian Airlines have cancelled around 1,000 flights, KLM has cancelled 160 flights and Cathay Pacific has cancelled two per cent of flights up to June.
In other flight news, a major airline is set to axe 20,000 flights this summer amid soaring fuel costs due to Iran war.
Plus, Brits are being warned that their summer holidays are at risk of being cancelled as jet fuel runs low and thousands of flights are axed.
