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People urged not to cancel flights as UK says no fuel shortage amid global jet fuel price surge
The UK government says there is no jet fuel shortage and travelers should not cancel plans, while global jet fuel prices rise and airlines trim schedules. Data show 13,000 May flights cut worldwide, with some carriers like Lufthansa planning larger reductions, but UK airlines report normal operations and contingency plans protect slots.
Why It Matters
The situation could affect summer travel for families and tourists, influence airline scheduling, and prompt government measures to protect flight operations and slots.
Timeline
13 Events
UK flights largely unaffected; supply reportedly stable
May 6, 2026
British airlines and travel agents said flights were operating as normal and there were no issues with fuel supply at the time.
DfT says no UK jet fuel shortage; travel plans advised not to be altered
May 6, 2026
The Department for Transport stated there is currently no shortage of jet fuel in the UK and advised passengers not to cancel travel plans, noting stockpiles and forward procurement by airlines.
Weekend remarks from Transport Secretary
May 3, 2026
At the weekend, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was confident most people travelling this summer would have a similar experience to last year.
UK jet fuel imports and Hormuz route risk
May 2026
The UK imports about 65% of its jet fuel, much of it from the Middle East; the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was cited as a factor that could prevent fuel supplies from getting through.
Airlines trim long-haul schedules and raise some fares
May 2026
Several carriers, including Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Delta and SAS, trimmed summer schedules; some long-haul fares rose as airlines try to attract customers.
Abta and industry leaders discuss impact and adjustments
May 2026
Abta's Mark Tanzer said the impact of May cancellations would be marginal; Julia Lo Bue-Said noted airlines may cancel or consolidate poorer-performing flights to save fuel.
Industry response: airlines expect normal holidays; prices and schedules affected
May 2026
Airlines UK and Abta indicated that planes are taking off daily and holidays are expected to proceed; some airlines have trimmed schedules and ticket prices have risen, particularly on long-haul flights.
Government contingency plans to protect slots; flight merging and grouping rules
May 2026
The government introduced contingency plans to prevent loss of take-off and landing slots if flights are cancelled; rules allow airlines to merge flights on routes with multiple trips to the same destination and to group passengers from different flights onto fewer planes to save fuel.
Lufthansa to remove 20,000 flights this period
May 2026
German carrier Lufthansa said it would remove 20,000 flights between now and the end of October 2026 as part of schedule adjustments.
Global jet fuel-related flight cuts in May (13,000 flights)
May 2026
Airlines have cut about 13,000 flights globally in May 2026 as jet fuel prices rose due to the Middle East conflict, amounting to around 1% of global flights.
IEA warns Europe could face jet fuel shortages by June (mid-April 2026)
April 2026
In mid-April 2026, the head of the International Energy Agency warned Europe could face jet fuel shortages by June unless more fuel is secured.
Jet fuel price reaches around $1,838 per tonne (early April 2026)
April 2026
By early April 2026, jet fuel price had risen to about $1,838 per tonne.
Jet fuel price surge begins (late February 2026)
February 2026
Jet fuel prices more than doubled after the Middle East conflict began, with one tonne trading at $831 in late February 2026.