jeopardy

AIRPORTS in Europe are at risk of running out of fuel in just weeks, experts have warned, sparking fears for half term holidays.

The conflict in Iran continues to cause chaos across the world, with the latest seeing President Donald Trump slam the regime for breaking the short-lived ceasefire.

This came after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz just hours into a two-week ceasefire agreement.

Travellers are now being warned that flights could be cancelled and prices could soon rise as fuel reserves are expected to run out due to ongoing closure.

And it could mean chaos for Brits heading abroad for the school May half-term holidays.

According to ACI Europe (the lobby group for airports in Europe), fuel reserves are expected to run out in less than three weeks unless the Middle East increases supplies.

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ACI Europe warns: “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.”

It added that the shortage of fuel supply is likely to “severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity”.

Around 140 ships usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz – yet has dropped to just seven ships today.

For Brits, this could mean travel chaos for May half-term getaways including popular destinations such as Spain, Italy and France.

The announcement comes as a number of airports in Italy already warned that they were running out of fuel.

According to local reports earlier this week, Brindisi-Casale Airport confirmed that Jet A1 fuel was not available for a short period of time.

While this didn’t result in any flight cancellations, airlines were warned to fly with enough fuel for the return journey.

This is because any remaining fuel was being reserved for emergency situations including medical flights.

A statement said at the time: “Jet A1 fuel is temporarily unavailable at Brindisi Airport.

“Refueling is permitted only for state, emergency medical services, and medical flights.

“Pilots are advised to refuel at previous stopovers to cover subsequent flights.”

Restrictions were also in place at other airports in Italy including Milan Linate, Venice, Bologna and Venice temporarily.

Despite this, Antonio Maria Vasile, president of Aeroporti di Puglia, commented regarding the news of the alleged fuel shortage.

He said at the time: “Fuel supplies continue regularly, and there is no risk of an imminent shortage.”

And it isn’t just Italian airports being hit by the fuel crisis.

The Australian government has warned that the country only has around 30 days of jet fuel left.

The announcements also come as some Asian countries are grounding flights and European airlines are making plans to deal with shortages.

Back in March, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said: “It’s entirely possible that parts of Asia are just going to run out of fuel.”

Both Scandinavia’s SAS and Poland’s Lot have already cancelled flights.

Air New Zealand has cancelled thousands of flights due to fears of fuel shortages.

And UK airline Skybus announced that it was stopping all flights between Cornwall and London due to a huge rise in fuel costs and a drop in new passenger bookings.

Even Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has also warned of “the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June” unless the war ends quickly.

Fuel prices have soared compared to what they were before the war in the Middle East broke out.

Last week, the cost of filling up an average diesel tank broke through the £100 mark for the first time since December 2022.

And the Iran conflict has taken Dubai off the holiday list, with the UK Foreign Office still warning against non-essential travel.

Hundreds of thousands of travellers were left stranded abroad when the conflict resulted in airspace closures and Dubai Airport closing.

While limited flights have returned, most airlines are still axing flights to Dubai, as well as other destinations in the Middle East.

This has also had a knock-on effect of airlines that travel via the Middle East, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Australia.

British Airways has axed more flights to the Middle East this week as the crisis continues.

And some airlines are even hiking the cost of baggage due to rising fuel costs.

Virgin River star Tim Matheson teased the upcoming eighth season of the Netflix show and the fallout from Doc’s decision to partner with Grace Valley

Warning – this article contains spoilers for Virgin River season 7.

Virgin River’s Tim Matheson has teased a turbulent path ahead for Vernon ‘Doc’ Mullins and his wife, Mayor Hope McCrea (portrayed by Annette O’Toole ) in the Netflix drama’s forthcoming eighth season.

The series made its comeback for its seventh run last Thursday (12th March), witnessing Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan’s (Martin Henderson) honeymoon period disrupted by fresh obstacles.

After Charmaine’s (Lauren Hammersley) abrupt vanishing, the pair encountered a difficult predicament when Marley (Rachel Drance) presented them with a chance to adopt her infant, before the baby’s father unexpectedly returned.

Simultaneously, Mel’s boss Doc carried on battling the medical board following the revocation of his licence for a dangerous yet life-preserving procedure, whilst competing hospital Grace Valley encroaches on his patch, reports the Express.

The season finale delivered a shock revelation, though, as Doc started contemplating a collaboration with Grace Valley despite his conflict with Dr Hayes (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), a move that enrages Hope.

In an exclusive conversation with Reach, Matheson verified that Virgin River’s confirmed eighth season will address the aftermath of their row directly from the outset.

“Well, it focuses a great deal on [that challenge] in season eight,” he revealed. “Like in any relationship there are changes and bumps and adjustments that need to be made. So, that continues on and it’s all about people finding their true path in life. And we all know that changes from day to day.

“So, things get a little bumpy, perhaps. I’ve only seen the first two episodes in script form, but… strap on your seatbelt. It’s going to be a wild ride.”

Production for series eight is set to commence in April, meaning viewers potentially won’t have long to wait before fresh information about the next instalment begins to emerge.

The forthcoming chapter will probably see Doc legally practising medicine once more but, following the strain of defending his licence and the prospect of Grace Valley taking control, could retirement be a possibility?

Matheson was swift to dismiss this theory, stating: “I don’t see that right now, no.

“Basically, he just keeps adjusting and in season seven, he actually came to a conclusion which threatened his relationship with Hope, that it’s better for his patients to try and adjust to more modern ways to help the patients by partnering with Grace Valley hospital.

“And using some of their improved equipment in the clinic and providing more immediate service to the patients, maybe through an ambulance and more modern care. And more money because a hospital can provide more modern equipment.

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“So I think he’s going to try that and see how that works, because really his goal is to be of service to the patient and whatever’s better for the patient is worth trying. And that may or may not have a deleterious effect on his relationships, and people have strong feelings one way or the other about bringing in an outside medical facility to help the clinic.

“He has mixed feelings about it, so that’s the thing that he’s going to be weighing throughout season eight.”

Will Doc and Hayes’ partnership prove harmonious or will Virgin River’s steadfast physician live to rue his choice? Keep watching for more small town drama arriving shortly.

Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix.

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