Brits warned summer holidays ARE at risk of being cancelled as jet fuel runs low and thousands of flights are axed
HOLIDAYS are at extreme risk of being cancelled this summer, experts have warned.
The ongoing war in Iran has already resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled around the world, due to jet fuel prices and shortages.
Ceasefire talks between the US and Iran are yet to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, after a previous ceasefire lasted just hours.
While UK airlines are yet to see any cancellations, Dan Jorgensen, the EU energy commissioner, said it was “very likely” holidays will be affected, according to Sky News.
This includes both cancelled flights and more expensive costs, he said, as Europe is in a “serious crisis”.
He explained: “Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then it’s not there.”
“It is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.”
Earlier this month, the International Energy Agency warned that supply issues could hit Europe in the next five to six weeks.
ACI Europe backed this up, saying: “If the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality.”
Mr Jorgensen added that even if the Strait of Hormuz opened tomorrow, the “price crisis will still last for quite some time”.
It could even be years, he warned, to get down to price levels seen before the crisis.
UK airlines are yet to be affected by the fuel crisis, as many have ‘hedged’ fuel, meaning paying a set fee.
But Airlines UK, which represents a number of carriers, including BA, Virgin, easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair, are now calling on the government for support to protect flights and holidays.
This would include temporary use of fuel type Jet A (not currently allowed in the UK) as well as relaxing the strict airport slot rules that would see airlines lose them if they don’t operate flights.
Easing night flight bans and “relieving the burden of Air Passenger Duty” have also been put forward.
A huge number of airlines have already cancelled flights in response to fears of jet fuel running out.
This includes:
- Lufthansa – 20,000 cancelled up to September
- United – around 250 a month cancelled
- Air New Zealand – around 1,000 cancelled
- Scandinavian Airlines – around 1,000 cancelled
- KLM – 160 cancelled
- Cathay Pacific – two per cent of flights up to June 30
Which airlines have already increased the cost of flights?
Rather than axing routes – other airlines have added surcharges or baggage fees…
- Air France and KLM have have increased their round-trip fares by €100 (£87) on most of their long-haul flights– with an additional charge of €10 (£8.69) for a round trip in economy.
- Virgin Atlantic confirmed it would do the same earlier this week – passengers in economy will pay an extra £50, in premium economy passengers will pay an extra £180 and anyone in business class will see flights cost an extra £360.
- JetBlue has increased baggage fees by $4 (£3) for off peak, economy travellers. This will now be $39 (£30) – the cost peak economy travellers will be $49 (£37).
- The low-cost Spanish Airline Volotea is adding maximum surcharge of €14 (£12.20) per person to flight bookings.
Some flights routes have been axed entirely – this includes Norse Airways, London-Los Angeles route.
And flights and holidays have already gone up in price in recent months.
The Transport & Environment (T&E) said in a statement this week that long-haul flights are up to £77 more expensive – working out to more than £300 per family.
And easyJet warned people to book holidays sooner rather than later to avoid more price hikes.
For anyone worrying about their holiday, families are better to book package holidays rather than separate flight and hotels, as most packages offer ATOL protection (meaning you will get your money back if your trip is cancelled).
It is also worth checking your travel insurance, although most policies do not cover anything related to war.