UK government authorizes airlines to cancel flights in advance to conserve jet fuel amid Iran war crisis

The UK government has authorized airlines to cancel or merge flights this summer to conserve jet fuel, with passengers to be notified at least two weeks before departure, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced on May 3.

The emergency measure aims to prevent last-minute disruptions as the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threaten fuel supplies. The International Energy Agency has warned that unless more fuel can be brought in from elsewhere, Europe as a whole will face shortages by June.

"On the basis of the information that I've got today, I am confident that the majority of people that are travelling this summer will have a similar experience to last year," Alexander told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. "There may be a need for airlines to trim their schedules slightly."

The UK imports about 65% of its jet fuel, a significant portion of which normally comes from the Middle East. Alexander said the UK is importing more jet fuel from the US and the west coast of Africa, as well as asking four domestic refineries to maximize production.

Under the new plan, airlines can hand back unused slots temporarily without losing rights for the following year. New guidance from Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) protects slots if fuel shortages prevent flying. The government believes this will reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations.

"The last thing I want is any passenger turning up at the departure gate to receive a text message saying that their flight is cancelled," Alexander added.

Travel journalist Simon Calder told the BBC the aim is to "prioritise holiday flights over business departures." He cited Lufthansa as an example: the airline currently runs 10 flights a day between London Heathrow and Frankfurt. "In the middle of summer there aren't many business travellers around, so therefore Lufthansa could say we're going to cancel two or three of these," and move passengers from an 08:30 departure to a 10:30 departure, he said. "The idea is it would save fuel for people who are on flights from Manchester to the Greek island of Skiathos where there aren't daily departures."

Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade welcomed the move, saying it would allow carriers to "avoid unnecessary flying and continue operating as efficiently as possible while protecting connectivity for passengers and trade."

Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said the plans show Britain is "exposed to fuel supply risks that a properly energy-secure country would not face."

The European Commission has suggested airlines may not have to pay compensation if they can "demonstrate that the disruption was directly caused by the jet fuel shortage and that all reasonable measures were taken."