Ryanair boss warns summer season holidays are ‘in danger’ as Iran warfare sparks jet gasoline disaster
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary says UK summer holidays are at risk as the Iran war sparks a jet fuel crisis, potentially forcing mass flight cuts by early June
Ryanair has warned flights could be grounded this summer due to jet fuel supply issues(Image: tupungato via Getty Images)
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary has sounded the alarm for British sunseekers, warning that summer getaways could be axed as the conflict in Iran chokes off vital jet fuel supplies. The budget airline boss admitted that while the company can stomach rising costs, a physical lack of fuel could force planes to stay on the tarmac during the peak holiday months of June, July and August.
The outspoken CEO revealed that the UK is “most vulnerable” compared to its European neighbours because of its massive reliance on Middle Eastern oil.
With the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, effectively blocked, fuel prices have skyrocketed and the actual stock is beginning to dwindle.
Mr O’Leary said: “We can handle, we think, the pricing issue, but if there’s a risk to 10 or 20 per cent of the fuel supply in June or July or August, then we and all other airlines will have to start looking at cancelling some flights or taking some capacity out.
“If this continues through to the end of April, we’re looking at a risk to supplies in early June. If it runs into May, then we don’t know what goes on.”
While the British Government insists there is plenty of fuel to go around, O’Leary claims the UK’s heavy ties to Kuwaiti imports leave us exposed.
He noted that 25 per cent of the UK’s jet fuel comes from Kuwait, making the British market a sitting duck for shortages.
He said: “Of all the European countries at the moment, the one that is most vulnerable is the UK, because [of] the market share that the Kuwaitis have here in the UK.”
The crisis isn’t just hitting Ryanair. The aviation industry is currently in a tailspin as Korean Air has officially entered emergency mode, while Lufthansa is drawing up plans to ground up to 40 aircraft. The EU is already begging citizens to stop driving and flying to conserve energy.
Despite the looming fuel crisis, Ryanair is still pushing for growth, targeting a massive 216 million passengers this year.
The airline is even launching new routes from London to destinations like Parma, Malmö, and Wroclaw.
The airline actually saw a five per cent boost in Easter bookings as families ditched long-haul trips to the Middle East in favour of safer European stay-cations closer to home.
However, the luck may run out by June. O’Leary admitted that if the fuel taps run dry at specific airports, he won’t be able to choose which flights to save and they will simply be grounded.
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