Airlines have been warned to prepare for potential flight disruptions this summer amid growing concerns over global jet fuel supplies, with ministers drawing up contingency measures to prevent last-minute travel chaos during the peak holiday season.
Under new plans, carriers facing fuel shortages would be allowed to cancel flights weeks in advance without losing their valuable take-off and landing slots at congested airports, to avoid the kind of short-notice disruption that has previously left passengers stranded.
The Government has also urged Britain’s four major refineries to increase jet fuel production, while exploring the possibility of importing additional supplies from the United States to bolster system resilience.
Although airlines say they have not yet experienced direct fuel shortages, industry analysts have warned that further instability in the Middle East could rapidly tighten global supply chains and trigger shortages within weeks.
Britain currently imports around 65 per cent of its jet fuel, much of it traditionally sourced from the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted those flows, raising concerns about supply stability during the summer peak in demand.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has cautioned that Europe could face fuel shortages by June unless alternative import routes and sources are secured.
Airline take-off and landing slots at major airports are among the most valuable assets in the aviation industry, often worth tens of millions of pounds and tightly protected under existing rules. Carriers are currently required to use at least 80 per cent of their allocated slots each season or risk losing them to competitors.
This requirement has long incentivised airlines to operate flights even when demand is weak to maintain their schedules.
Under the Government’s proposed changes, airlines would be permitted to temporarily return unused slots while retaining their rights for the following season, giving them greater flexibility in the event of fuel-related disruptions.
Carriers would also be allowed to cancel flights at least a fortnight in advance, enabling them to adjust schedules proactively rather than react to sudden supply shocks.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the measures were designed to protect passengers from last-minute disruption.
“We’re preparing to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer,” she said. “This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses.”
Airlines have broadly welcomed the proposals, with Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, saying the changes would allow carriers to “avoid unnecessary flying and continue operating as efficiently as possible while protecting connectivity for passengers and trade”.
Passengers affected by cancellations or significant delays will remain entitled to support under existing rules, including rebooking, refunds, and assistance with food, accommodation and transport where necessary. Compensation will also apply in cases of long delays or cancellations not deemed to fall under exceptional circumstances.
Airlines have lobbied for fuel shortages to be formally classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, which would exempt them from paying compensation. That request has not been granted in the UK.
However, the European Commission has indicated that carriers may be able to avoid compensation payments if they can demonstrate that the disruption was directly caused by fuel shortages and that all reasonable steps were taken to mitigate the impact.
Officials say the situation remains under close review as ministers seek to balance energy security concerns with the need to maintain stability across the aviation network during the peak summer period.
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