Fuel shortages could lead to flight cancellations this summer (Image: Getty)
Iran’s effective shut down of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors, has triggered a global oil shortage, already impacting consumers across Europe, Asia, and other regions. Fuel rationings are already beginning to come into place with Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice issuing an aviation notice on Saturday that “due to limited fuel availability from Air BP Italia, refueling services for operators contractually linked to Air BP Italia may be subject to restrictions.”
Its impact is also being felt in the British market after Skybus cancelled all of its flights between Cornwall and London on Friday, April 3. Managing Director Jonathan Hinkles attributed the service’s closure to the “global rise in fuel costs following the Gulf conflict,” combined with a sharp drop in passenger numbers. Mr Hinkles said: “The huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf, coupled with a significant drop in new passenger bookings since mid-February’s announcement of the planned closure of the PSO air route, forms an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.
The effective shut down of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered an oil crisis (Image: Getty)
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“At a time of great economic uncertainty and steps being taken to conserve energy worldwide, it is neither environmentally nor economically sound for us to continue flying with vastly reduced passenger numbers.”
And now renowned travel expert Simon Calder has issued advice for passengers flying with British Airways, EasyJet, and Ryanair. He notes that while airline leaders are confident fuel supplies will meet demand for the remainder of April, the outlook for May and the summer period is far less certain.
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has warned of “the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June” unless the war ends quickly.
The Irish airline could axe some flights that take to the skies multiple times a day, such as Stansted to the Barcelona area.
O’Leary has warned of ‘supply disruptions in Europe in May and June’ (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, he warns those travelling to any of the domestic airports, or to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Geneva, Milan, Nice or Stockholm with British Airways may be accustomed to receiving cancellation announcements with an invitation to rebook either before or after the original flight time.
If you are a regular British Airways passenger heading for any of the domestic airports, or to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Geneva, Milan, Nice or Stockholm, you may be accustomed to receiving cancellation announcements
Budget carrier EasyJet could cancel some of its five or six daily services between Gatwick and Málaga this summer.
Mr Calder warns that the Manchester–Amsterdam route, which flies up to six times each way per day, is another option for possible cancellations.
The Strait of Hormuz — a crucial passage in the Persian Gulf that handles about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments — has been largely shut to vessels since the conflict involving Iran, the United States, Israel and several other countries erupted a month ago.
The disruption has sharply reduced the flow of crude and refined products — including jet fuel — into Europe, which relies heavily on Gulf supplies. As a result, jet fuel prices have surged, and analysts warn that if the conflict continues, some airports could begin experiencing supply constraints in the coming weeks.
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