Jet2 points replace to passengers with holidays booked after June 1
Jet2 has issued a statement to worried passengers after the head of the world’s energy watchdog warned Europe only has six weeks’ supply of jet fuel due to the Iran war and Middle East conflict
People have been contacting airline Jet2 with concerns over if their holidays will go ahead this year(Image: Getty)
Airline Jet2 has addressed passenger concerns over their summer holidays in light of skyrocketing prices and potential jet fuel shortages. Just last week, the head of the world’s energy watchdog cautioned that Europe only has a six-week supply of jet fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), warned that flight cancellations could occur “soon” if oil supplies continue to be limited by the war in Iran. Iran maintains control over tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz and launched attacks on several over the weekend.
It comes as Ryanair cancels all flights to Santiago de Compostela Airport in north-west Spain which will halt all operations from Thursday, April 23 until Wednesday, May, 27 meaning no departures or arrivals will be allowed during the closure period.
Mr Birol informed the Associated Press that this is leading to “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced”. He warned that Europe has “maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left”.
If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the impact on Europe could mean that “some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of lack of jet fuel”, he added. Earlier on Thursday, easyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis stated that all the airports it serves are “operating as normal”.
He continued: “We only ever in this industry have three to four weeks visibility (of jet fuel supplies), and that is the same as it was pre-crisis. “We have visibility to the middle of May, and we have no concerns, reports Glasgow Live.
“What we’re seeing is airports and fuel suppliers working well to bring jet fuel to the airports.”
On social media, holidaymakers with trips booked have been contacting Jet2 expressing their worries. One wrote: “@jet2tweets Hi there – we are looking to go away for a week to Malaga in June and want to know how concerned we should be about the reporting of lack of airport fuel and what happens to our holiday should something like this happen and impact our holiday. Can you help…?”
Another posted: “Are holidays going ahead as usual? We’ve booked an all inclusive 10 day to Crete in June. I’m worried about jet fuel prices.” A UK traveller questioned: “you guys aren’t planning on last minute flight cancellations due to potential jet fuel shortages are you? Family holiday booked in May FYI”
Jet2 responded: “Hi all flights are planned to go ahead as normal. If anything were to change regarding your booking, we would be sure to reach out to you directly to make you aware, and discuss the options available to you. Thanks” Javier Gándara, easyJet CEO for Spain and Portugal, spoke in Mallorca at the reopening of the easyJet base in Palma.
He gave an evaluation of the current fuel supply situation yesterday (Sunday), stating: “What the producers and airports are telling us is that there won’t be any supply problems for the next three or four weeks. Beyond that, it’s difficult to see. In Spain, we are in a comparatively better situation than neighbouring countries for two reasons.
“Firstly, because of all the crude oil that is imported and then refined here, only 11% comes from the Middle East, which is the percentage affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; the remaining 89% comes from elsewhere.
“No one will be immune to potential supply problems. Ships that leave and pass through the Strait of Hormuz and come to Europe take an average of 45 days, and they have already been practically out of service for two months. It will take time to recover all of that. It’s difficult to know what will happen, so we’ll react as we go.”
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary has also previously warned of possible disruptions starting in May. Speaking to Sky News, he said: “Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market. We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated.”
