Despite being thousands of miles away from Britain, the war in the Middle East is continuing to have an impact on British lives.
From the rising cost of jet fuel to plane routes being cancelled or changed – air travel has been massively affected by the situation.
Europe sources about 40 per cent of its jet fuel from the Strait of Hormuz, which is nearly completely closed.
The UK receives supplies direct from the Middle East while additional supplies come in indirectly, especially via Belgium and the Netherlands.
The last known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East to Britain is expected to arrive imminently.
But, that leaves the question – what happens next? And should holidaymakers be worried about jet fuel shortages?
Former airline captain Emma Henderson MBE tells the Daily Mail that it could reach a point where there is simply ‘not enough’ fuel.
She says, ‘The bottom line is that if oil is not released from the Straits of Hormuz, there will come a point when there is not enough – and this is already happening in Europe where some airports have run out of jet fuel.’
From the rising cost of jet fuel to plane routes being cancelled or changed – air travel has been massively affected by war in the Middle East
The last known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East to Britain is expected to arrive imminently (stock)
If no more jet fuel shipments were to arrive from the Gulf, airlines and the government are sourcing supplies from elsewhere. The UK is not completely reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for its fuel.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero tells the Daily Mail: ‘Jet fuel shipments are continuing to arrive in the UK.
‘The UK receives imports of jet fuel from India, US and the Netherlands as well as smaller amounts from a range of other countries.
‘We are engaging with British carriers to support their operations against the backdrop of war in the Middle East, and to limit the impact on passengers.’
Despite any unknowns over when and where jet fuel might be sourced from next, the aviation expert says holidaymakers don’t need to be too concerned.
Henderson adds, ‘I don’t think people need to panic about their summer holidays being cancelled but I think we all need to be aware of what’s going on and the impact it is potentially going to have on our lives.’
The keynote speaker predicts long-haul flights are most likely to be impacted first by shortages due to them being ‘fuel hungry and less cost effective than short haul flights’.
However, if the situation continues, she warns ‘there might be an impact on some flights as airlines have to reduce capacity’.
The cost of flights could be affected down the line by jet fuel shortages too, Henderson explains.
Former airline captain Emma Henderson MBE exclusively tells the Daily Mail that it could reach a point where there is simply ‘not enough’ fuel
‘It will also impact the cost of flights in the long run but not necessarily yet because large airlines hedge fuel prices and will be protected on price for most of 2026 but that’s only good if you can actually get the stuff into the country in the first place isn’t it,’ says the former pilot.
She advises people should plan ahead and consider alternate ways to travel and says, ‘I’m still planning and booking flights (my work as a professional speaker takes me around the world and I do a lot of work in Europe) but in the back of my mind I am also thinking about other ways I can get to places – by sea and land.
‘I’m thinking of it as a possible adventure rather than a blockage and I think we could all have that adaptable approach.’
But overall, the expert emphasises the UK government and airlines will be working on protecting flights and fuel supply ‘to avoid disruption’.
Earlier this week, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary warned that travellers face a summer of uncertainty if the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global oil routes.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr O’Leary said that while the budget airline was ‘reasonably well-hedged’ on 80 per cent of jet fuel, passengers could be hit with disruption from ‘early May’.
‘Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market. We don’t expect any disruption until early May,’ O’Leary said.
‘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.’
Earlier this week, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary warned that travellers face a summer of uncertainty if the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global oil routes
Revealing he was paying $150 a barrel for around 20 per cent of his fuel, he insisted the more ‘immediate concern’ was if there would be enough jet fuel to keep planes flying.
He said the travel industry was under the heel of the war in the Middle East as Donald Trump dramatically washed his hands of the crisis and told the UK to ‘go get your own oil’.
Expressing his hope that the war ends sooner rather than later, he also warned there is a ‘reasonable risk’ that anywhere from 10 to 25 per cent of supplies could be in danger in both May and June – possibly spelling summer travel chaos for millions.
The Ryanair boss also insisted the summer season depends on whether the strategic passage, the Strait of Hormuz, can be freed once again for the travel of vessels carrying oil.
In recent weeks, several ships have been attacked by Iran with one boat being struck by an explosive-laden vessel from the Tehran regime.
Yet despite the stark warning, O’Leary said if the Strait reopens and the war comes to an end by April, then there would be ‘almost no risk to supply’.
And despite the odds, the budget airline boss remained defiant that he does not expect to cancel flights even though his competitors have struggled to grapple with an unstable market.
It comes as Easyjet warned European customers to expect higher prices at the end of the summer as their fuel hedges are expected to dry up.
But they aren’t the only ones with Cathay Pacific, AirAsia and Thai Airways, and Air New Zealand increasing air fares.
United Airlines also said it might hike up prices by as much as a fifth, while other firms have gone as far as to cancel flights.
It comes as Easyjet warned European customers to expect higher prices at the end of the summer as their fuel hedges are expected to dry up
Some carriers are even having to increase their checked baggage fees due to the cost of jet fuel rising.
Budget US airline JetBlue previously charged a minimum of $35 (£26.50) for a passenger’s first piece of checked luggage.
However, this now shows as $39 (£29.50) for off-peak flights, including $10 (£7.60) in savings, on the carrier’s website.
During peak times, the price starts at $49 (£37.10), up from the previous $40 (£30.30) – a $9 (£6.82) increase.
JetBlue has put the change down to ‘rising operating costs’.
A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value.
‘Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares while delivering the onboard experience our customers love, including complimentary snacks and drinks, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment screens.
‘While we recognize that fee increases are never ideal, we take careful consideration to ensure these changes are implemented only when necessary.’