Passengers with holidays booked this summer have been issued guidance
Brits with holidays booked this summer have been told not to change their travel plans. It comes as thousands of flights have been cancelled across the globe this month amid rising jet fuel prices.
According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, 13,000 flights across the world have been cut in May. Although it sounds like a significant number, it equates to only one per cent of global flights, the majority of which are operating outside of the UK.
Only 0.53per cent of the UK’s planned flights have been cancelled, which the UK government states is within the normal range. It highlights that in previous years typically around one per cent of all flights arriving or departing from the UK are cancelled.
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The Department for Transport; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have reassured holidaymakers that there is currently not a jet fuel crisis in the UK and that the Government is continuing to monitor the situation.
In a joint statement they said: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.
“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing.” Those with holidays booked are urged to check with their airlines before they travel and to check the FCDO travel advice pages for the latest guidance.
Jet fuel prices have soared as a result of the Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Government said it has been closely monitoring jet fuel stocks and continues “to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Responding to the situation, Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said: “We really don’t want people worrying about their holidays; planes are taking off daily and people are continuing to get away on their holidays. The Government and airlines are clear that there isn’t a problem with fuel supply.
“If you have a holiday booked in for the coming months – including the May half term – we expect it to go ahead as planned.Whilst there have been reports about cancellations globally, these amount to less than one percent of overall flights.”
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