British Airways boss issues update on summer flights

The conflict in the Middle East, involving the US, Israel, and Iran, has disrupted fuel supplies, prompting some airlines to raise fares and cut flights.

Global figures released this week by aviation analytics company Cirium show 13,005 flights planned for May were cancelled between April 10 and 21.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) acknowledged there is “a risk of some disruption” this summer in a recent update, but said travellers will be “well protected.”

Despite the cancellations, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander downplayed the likelihood of widespread disruption to summer holidays.

Speaking on Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, she said disruption should remain limited.

British Airways boss issues update on summer flights

British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), has issued an update amid all the disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

IAG chief executive Luis Gallego assured customers there should be no disruptions to summer flights despite jet fuel shortages, explaining the airline group had been “planning for situations like this for many years”.

Mr Gallego said: “We do not believe there will be any interruption for the summer.”

Iran continues to have a stranglehold on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a surge in oil prices and concerns over jet fuel shortages.

He acknowledged the impact of reduced jet fuel supply from the Middle East but pointed out “record supply” from the US and other regions.

IAG has invested in jet fuel reserves at its “main hubs” and said that previously weaker markets, such as parts of Asia, are now “building up reserves”.

The airline company said about 3% of its capacity was “exposed to the Gulf region” at the start of the war on February 28, mostly with British Airways flights.

The company has since redeployed much of that capacity to destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, and the Maldives.

British Airways’ parent company to spend £1.7bn more than planned on fuel in 2026

IAG expects to spend around two billion euros (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year, with total fuel costs forecast to reach nine billion euros (£7.78 billion).

Mr Gallego said: “We are managing the uncertainty by taking the necessary action on yields, costs and capacity.”

He added that all airlines “need to increase fares in order to mitigate the impact” of increased fuel prices, which represent about a quarter of their costs.

“Whilst the impact of the higher fuel price will inevitably lead to lower profit this year than we originally anticipated, we are confident in our business model and strategy,” Mr Gallego continued.

IAG shares fell by 4% in early trading on Friday (May 8) after it said it expects its fuel cost to reach nine billion euros (£7.78 billion) this year, which will affect its full-year profit and free cash flow.

However, the company reported a pre-tax profit of 422 million euros (£365 million) for the first quarter of 2026, up from 239 million euros (£207 million) a year earlier.

Mr Gallego attributed IAG’s “strong first quarter” to “continued strong demand for our networks and airline brands”.

He said: “IAG is uniquely positioned to navigate the current headwinds created by the Middle East conflict thanks to our leading positions across diverse markets, strong brands, structurally high margins and strong balance sheet, as well as a strong track record of execution.”

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