The UK Government has stated that there is currently no shortage of jet fuel within the country, advising passengers that there is ‘no need to change [their] travel plans’.
According to the Government; airlines have ‘made clear that [they] are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel’, as it is typically bought in advance with airports and suppliers keeping stocks of fuel in order to support overall resilience.
Fears of a jet fuel shortage have arisen following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which prompted the Government to begin closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and work with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers in order to keep passengers moving and businesses supported.
At a select number of UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’, during which they are cleared to take of or land. Under typical rules, airlines are legally required to use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season in order to retain them for the following year.
If they fall below this threshold, those slots can then be reassigned to another airline – a situation known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule. However; Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its current guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying and, ultimately, encouraging them to focus on minimising disruption for passengers, rather than exerting pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.
Passengers have been advised to continue checking with airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advise for the latest updates.
Under UK law, if a flight is cancelled, affected passengers are entitled to either a full refund or alternative travel options if departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arrive at an airport in the EU on an UK airline.
