Brits have been warned of disruption at a major UK airport as airlines face the risk of ‘running out of fuel’ in coming days
Holidaymakers may face disruption due to jet fuel shortages (Image: Getty Images)
Thousands of Brits heading on their summer holidays from a major UK airport could face disruption over the coming days due to a fuel shortage.
Gatwick Airport has sent out a jet fuel warning to pilots as the UK’s second-largest airport faces supply issues.
The potential shortage could affect easyJet and British Airways flights from the airport during the peak of the season, as well as other major carriers like Wizz Air, TUI, and Jet2.
The memo sent out by Gatwick warned airlines: “For the attention of all crews: Gatwick has a shortage of fuel for the next two days.
“Please uplift max possible fuel at outstations.”
Another document warned of a “potential disruption to the Gatwick fuel supply”.
An airline source told The Sun: “Pilots will try and take on as much fuel as they can from their foreign destinations to bring back to the UK, but they will be limited by factors such as the maximum take-off weight and the maximum landing weight back at Gatwick.”
The issue is likely to cause “disruption” from Monday, according to the source.
In the event of an airport fuel infrastructure crisis, major short-haul operators like easyJet can partially insulate themselves by carrying extra fuel from inbound European flights to bypass Gatwick’s pumps entirely.
But the airline’s sheer flight volume will still put the operation under strain.
Meanwhile, British Airways and other long-haul flight carriers, which cannot tanker fuel and remain entirely dependent on Gatwick’s local supply to get off the ground, are more culnerable
It is believed that the shortage is not connected to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but rather to a technical issue at one of Gatwick’s fuel farms.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said: “Following a technical issue impacting fuel supply to the airport, airlines have been advised to monitor fuel availability.
“We are working closely with external suppliers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and minimise any potential disruption. All airlines are operating as normal.”
The Mirror has contacted easyJet and British Airways for further comment.