A major European airline has issued an update to travellers concerned about theimpact of jet fuel shortageson their upcoming journeys. Fears about the impact of price hikes linked to thewar in Iranwreaking havoc on upcoming holidays shot up after the world's energy watchdog warned thatEurope may only have six weeks' worth of jet fuelremaining.
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said flight cancellations could happen "soon" if Iran continues to maintain a stranglehold on tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. A spokesperson for the German Lufthansa Group, which operates over 700 weekly connections to Britain, reassured passengers that strong fuel reserves have put it "in a better position" than many competitors. They said: "The Lufthansa Group has secured approximately 80% of its kerosene requirements for 2026 and approximately 40% for 2027 based, among other things, on the price of crude oil - both at pre-crisis levels. With this level of hedging, we are in a better position than most competitors."
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The spokesperson hinted that the situation remains subject to change, however, adding: "This is for the time being. We have not made any forecast for the upcoming months yet,"
The update followed fresh uncertainty over the situation in the Middle East, as theUS seizure of an Iranian cargo shipcaused oil prices to rise again on Monday.
Oil benchmark Brent crude jumped 5% to $94.72 a barrel this morning following the fresh closure of the Strait, after tumbling on Friday when Iran declared the shipping route open.
Other major airlines haveissued similar messagesto worried customers amid the ongoing turmoil, including Jet2, which told users on X that all flights are planned to go ahead as normal over the next two months.
A TUI representative also told a social media user concerned about their trip being cancelled: "We're closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
