The skies over the UK are about to get a little more turbulent as the country's airlines brace for potential fuel shortages this summer. The government's new contingency plans, which have been in the works for some time, aim to give airlines the flexibility to cancel flights weeks in advance, a move that could significantly reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations for passengers. This is a crucial development, especially given the ongoing Iran war, which has disrupted fuel deliveries and could lead to shortages within weeks. The UK's heavy reliance on imported jet fuel, particularly from the Middle East, means that any disruption to these supplies could have a significant impact on the country's aviation sector.
The government's strategy is multifaceted. Firstly, they are urging the UK's four refineries to maximize jet fuel supply and are exploring ways to increase supplies from the US. This is a critical step to ensure that the country has sufficient fuel reserves to meet its aviation needs. Secondly, they are allowing airlines to save fuel by adjusting their schedules in advance, a move that could potentially cut one or two flights a day on routes with multiple services to the same destination. This approach, however, comes with a catch. Airlines are usually reluctant to do this because it could jeopardize their right to retain their allotted take-off and landing slots at busy airports like London's Heathrow and Gatwick, which can be worth tens of millions of pounds.
The current rules, as outlined in the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations 2025, require airlines to use their slots at least 80% of the time to retain them. This has led to a practice where airlines fly half-empty planes to meet this requirement, which is not only inefficient but also environmentally detrimental. The new plan, which is set to be announced on Sunday, aims to address this issue by allowing airlines to temporarily hand back unused slots while retaining the right to use them the following year. This will enable them to cancel flights at least two weeks in advance, a move that the government believes will significantly reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations.
The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, emphasized the importance of this move, stating that it will provide families with long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer. Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-based carriers, has welcomed this development, with its chief executive, Tim Alderslade, praising the plan for allowing airlines to avoid unnecessary flying and continue operating as efficiently as possible while protecting connectivity for passengers and trade. The move, however, requires legislation in the form of a statutory instrument, and a short consultation is currently underway.
The government is also exploring ways to increase the flexibility of jet fuel supply, including the possibility of allowing a US specification of fuel, known as Jet A, to be used in the UK. This could potentially reduce the risk of shortages for UK airlines, but it is a complex issue. High demand and infrastructure challenges may make this a tall order. In the meantime, passengers can take comfort in the existing rights they have when flights are severely delayed or canceled. They are entitled to support from their airline, including rerouting, refunds, and care and assistance, such as food, drink, and overnight accommodation when necessary. Additionally, passengers are entitled to financial compensation in the event of severe disruption.
Airlines have been lobbying for fuel shortages to be explicitly classified as 'extraordinary circumstances', which would allow them to avoid making payouts. However, this plea has not been successful in the UK, but the European Commission has suggested that airlines may not be required to provide compensation if they can demonstrate that the disruption was directly caused by the jet fuel shortage and that all reasonable measures were taken. This is a complex issue that requires careful consideration, and the industry is closely watching the developments in this area.
