Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Israel, the USA, and Iran, fears of a looming jet fuel shortage have prompted major UK airlines to send an urgent plea to the government. Carriers including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Virgin, TUI, and Jet2 are calling for immediate policy changes to mitigate potential disruptions to summer holiday travel.
The airlines, through their trade body Airlines UK, have urged the Labour Party government to relax environmental restrictions such as the emissions trading scheme and ease noise regulations, particularly limits on night flights. They are also seeking to amend passenger compensation rules so that flight cancellations or delays caused by fuel shortages would be considered extraordinary circumstances, potentially limiting payout obligations beyond refunds.
A leaked briefing document obtained by ITV News outlines a series of demands intended to safeguard the aviation industry from growing operational pressures. The airlines warn that ongoing or intensified fuel supply issues could force cutbacks on flights and higher ticket prices, triggering widespread disruption for travelers.
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Additional requests include scrapping the air passenger duty tax and loosening “use it or lose it” slot regulations, similar to temporary relaxations implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. Airlines UK emphasized the importance of preemptive government action to ensure continued jet fuel availability and provide flexibility for airlines to operate efficiently under challenging conditions.
An Airlines UK spokesperson stated, “While airlines are currently not experiencing jet fuel shortages, we maintain close communication with the Department for Transport to monitor the evolving situation. Proactive measures will be essential to support the UK aviation sector, which is already coping with record fuel prices.”
The UK government responded by reassuring the public that there is no present fuel shortage. A spokesperson confirmed ongoing collaboration with fuel suppliers, airlines, and international partners to develop contingency plans aimed at preventing travel disruption amid the conflict. They reiterated that their top priority remains de-escalating the crisis to keep vital air routes open and protect passengers.