Airlines have been warned that they may be forced to cancel flights starting next month due to fuel shortages caused by the escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran.
This situation could affect Britons planning Easter getaways, as carriers brace for further disruption amid rising oil prices and tightening supplies.
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, sending shockwaves through global energy markets.
The price of jet fuel has surged, rising from approximately $90 (£67) per barrel to as much as $200 (£150) per barrel. This significant rise in operating costs comes at a time when airlines are already struggling with disrupted routes in the Middle East.
Several airlines have begun scaling back operations. For instance, Air New Zealand has announced it will cut flights over the next two months, while Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is cancelling around 1,000 flights.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that this crisis has revealed “deep vulnerabilities in jet fuel security,” particularly affecting Europe, which sources up to 30 per cent of its jet fuel demand from the Persian Gulf.
Experts predict that further disruption is likely. Energy and transport specialists at Watson Farley & Williams told The Times that airlines may need to reduce operations if fuel stocks continue to decline.
The transport law firm said: “If airports and airlines’ stocks of fuel are depleted for any length of time, airlines will cease to be able to fuel their aircraft and will have to reduce their operations.
“This may have far-reaching consequences.”
They added that “further flight cancellations can be expected, even by airlines operating from home bases where there is a reliable supply of fuel.”
The timing of this crisis is particularly sensitive, with the Easter bank holiday approaching, a traditional peak travel period. Rising fares have already been reported, with carriers such as Qantas increasing ticket prices.
Additionally, travel patterns are shifting as some holidaymakers opt for closer destinations. Bookings to Portugal, for example, have reportedly risen by 42 per cent in just two weeks, and there is also growing demand for trips to the Caribbean and Africa.
